Question:
Anyone else have problems with dentures making you gag?

I am 3 weeks post op and have discovered that about an hour or so after I eat my upper denture feels all gummy under the mouth roof plate. This has never happened before. Is it the excess saliva dissolving the adhesives? While I always try to clean out my denture between meals it is not possible at work and this is making me very nauseaus as well as causing me to gag. Also when I do take out the plate for cleaning I gag and have even vomited in the process of taking it out. I have only had my denture for 6 months, is it time for a reline or new one? Any help would be much appreciated.    — DiTheHuntress (posted on April 4, 2004)

April 4, 2004
I have worn dentures for about 20 years now, and had my RNY Aug of 2002. I have never had what you are experiencing. I cannot even tell I have them in. I had a good dentist, and they fit like a glove. But it sounds as though they may not be fitting you quite right. I would suggest you see your dentist. Not much info but hope it helps some.
   — penciepaws

April 4, 2004
i had a partial plate fitted just before my rny and almost immediatly --about 1 month post-op -- they no longer fit right. Mine were mostly cosmetic but have had trouble chewing at times also. This was one time i was glad i was not eating much and not going out too often. Anyway, my dentist said he would not try to re-fit them every time i lost 20 lbs--like was recomended-- but rather wait till i was done losing most of my weight -- about 15-18 months. I couldn't afford to fix them that often. Now at 20 mths out i have to get totally refitted with a new partial as the old one is way too large for my new mouth-- not a big mouth anymore--ha-ha. So not just the clothes have changed sizes --my mouth too. never thought of that before when losing weight. Good luck to you.
   — dorothy S.

April 4, 2004
I too have a partial top plate and yes, about two weeks after surgery, I put them in my mouth and I gagged bad. It seemed like the plate got longer and was going down my throat. I thought they had gotten too big for my mouth as well. I have not taken them back to the dentist yet, thought I would wait til about June and get them re-aligned.
   — cindirella

April 4, 2004
I don't have dentures, but have noticed that I can't put anything in my mouth that is very wide without gagging. You know like putting a book between your teeth while picking something else up. I thought somehow this was a side effect from the surgery. A weenie is about the thickest thing I can put in my mouth. Don't know why? I am 2.6 years out.
   — colers

April 13, 2004
At 3 weeks postop, I was gagging alot too. I don't have dentures but I gagged and sometimes even barfed when I brushed my teeth. The oral tissues and muscles in the back of the throat must be extra sensitive following wls.
   — mary ann T.