Can Dentures Make You Drool? Causes and Tips
You just got a new set of dentures, and it seems that you are drooling all over the place! Do dentures cause an excessive buildup of saliva? Absolutely! Numerous studies consistently show that the body responds to a new set of dentures by producing more saliva. It’s a built-in reflex: your brain senses something foreign in your mouth and thinks you are eating, so your salivary glands flood your mouth with spit. The good news is this is temporary for most people, usually lasting a few days to a couple of months, and it improves as your mouth gets used to the dentures.
Why Dentures May Cause Extra Saliva
Amongst the many jobs of the saliva, more commonly known as “spit”, is to keep things in your mouth moist so you can chew and swallow safely. When dentures first show up, your body senses a foreign object in the mouth and sends the same signals it does during mealtime…make more spit! Saliva production cranks up because your body thinks it is time to eat. Over time, your body learns your denture isn’t food and doesn’t need to be swallowed. The extra drool eventually slows down and returns to a point where it one again primarily increases production during mealtime.
How Long It Usually Lasts
Multiple studies have examined saliva production related to denture wear. In general, studies consistently show that after dentures are inserted, the body will more than double its normal salivary production. Furthermore, this saliva will also be more watery than normal. On average, this excessive amount of watery spit will last up to three months following delivery of a new denture. As your body gets used to the new denture, saliva production will decrease but it will always be more than when you had no denture at all.
Simple Ways to Manage Excessive Salivation
Excess saliva is annoying, but you don’t have to just suffer through it. There are several ways to make the adjustment phase more comfortable until your mouth calms down.
1. Sip Water Regularly
Extra saliva can make you feel like you constantly need to spit or swallow. Keeping a bottle of water nearby helps you swallow naturally and clears that “pooling” feeling in your mouth.
- Take small sips often instead of big gulps.
- Avoid sugary drinks – they can irritate your gums and can often make you thirstier than normal.
- Staying hydrated also keeps your saliva from getting too thick or sticky.
2. Practice Different Swallowing Techniques
Your mouth has muscle memory based on your natural teeth. When dentures are first delivered, your tongue and throat don’t quite know what to do and swallowing may feel awkward.
- Place your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, and swallow slowly.
- Repeat this often throughout the day to “retrain” your swallowing reflex.
- Over time, your muscles learn the new positioning, and excess saliva is easier to manage.
3. Keep Your Dentures Secure
Loose dentures are one of the biggest culprits behind overactive salivary glands. If the denture rocks or slides around, your brain keeps sending the “foreign object” signal to your body to make more saliva.
- Try a small amount of denture adhesive to stabilize them during the first weeks.
- There are many different types of adhesive and what works best for one person may not work well for another. Don’t be afraid to try different types of adhesive if the first one you try is not doing the trick.
- If you notice excessive clicking, rubbing, or sore spots, don’t wait – go back to your dentist for an adjustment or even a reline. Even a tiny change in the fit can cut down saliva production fast. Click here for more information about relines.
4. Practice Speaking with Your New Dentures
Studies show that up to 75% of patients develop speech changes with dentures which negatively affect treatment satisfaction. Dentures impact the way the tongue interacts with tissues of the mouth and can modify speech sounds such as B, D, F, L, M, N, R, S, T, Th, V, and Z. Additionally, many denture patients report lisping, whistling, or spitting during speech.
The excessive saliva production associated with a new denture often results in people “sucking in spit” while they talk. As a matter of fact, there is one prominent sports announcer who chronically does this while he is talking. It drives me nuts!
One of the best things you can do is to record yourself talking. Listen to yourself. What do you hear? If you are sucking spit during your speech, it is time for a change. Try shorter sentences. Perhaps you need to drink water while talking. The key is to practice and see what works for you.
5. Know When to See Your Dentist
If you’re still drooling excessively after 3 months of wearing your new denture, it’s time for a professional check-up. The denture may be rubbing your gums, pinching tissue, or just not sitting where it should. A quick reline or adjustment often solves the issue on the spot.
When It Could Signal a Problem
Temporary salivation is expected. But if you’re still drooling months later or notice sores, swelling, or irritation, something may be off with the fit of your denture. Don’t try to tough it out – schedule a dental visit to stop the irritation before it turns into a bigger issue.
FAQs About Dentures and Saliva
Why do dentures make me drool so much at first?
Your brain thinks the dentures are food. It triggers extra saliva so you can chew and swallow safely. This reaction usually fades once your mouth figures out the dentures aren’t something to eat.
How long before the extra saliva goes away?
Most people see improvement within a few weeks. For some, it may take up to 3 months before the excessive saliva dissipates. If you’re still drooling after a couple of months, ask your dentist to check the fit. It is important to note that studies show you will always have more saliva production when wearing a denture compared to the time when you did not wear a denture.
Can dentures make my saliva thicker, thinner, or feel slimy?
Yes. Saliva changes consistency for some people when they first wear dentures. While most studies show that wearing dentures will make your spit less viscous (more watery), some people report that their saliva is thicker or sticky when wearing a denture. One simple trick is to sip on water to balance the way your spit feels.
Will I always have more saliva with dentures than I did with natural teeth?
Probably a little more, yes. Studies show denture wearers often have slightly higher saliva flow than people with natural teeth. Sorry, science consistently shows this and that is just how it is.
Can poorly fitting dentures cause constant drooling?
Absolutely. If dentures move too much or irritate your gums, they can trigger your salivary glands to keep producing fluid. A quick adjustment by your dentist often solves this. Another option to help this situation is to use denture adhesive.
What can I do at home to control extra saliva?
Sip water, practice deliberate swallowing, and give your mouth time to learn the new normal.
Do dentures ever cause dry mouth instead of drooling?
Not really. Dry mouth is usually caused by medications, dehydration, or certain health conditions. Dentures won’t cause dryness directly, but they can make existing dryness more noticeable.
Can dental adhesive help with saliva problems?
100%. Adhesive keeps dentures stable, and less movement means less irritation and fewer saliva signals sent to your brain.
Is swallowing too much saliva dangerous?
Not at all. It’s just uncomfortable and annoying. The extra saliva won’t hurt you.
Can my diet affect saliva when wearing dentures?
Yes. Acidic or spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can change saliva production and texture. Staying hydrated and eating balanced meals helps keep saliva more consistent.
What if I can’t stop drooling after a few months?
That’s your cue to call your dentist. Persistent salivation usually means your dentures need refitting or there’s another issue that needs attention.
Will my speech improve once the saliva issue goes away?
Yes, to a degree. Excess saliva can make you lisp or feel like you’re “spitting” when you talk. As saliva production calms down and your muscles adapt, speech usually gets clearer.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Extra saliva is one of the most common early side effects of wearing dentures, but it’s also one of the easiest to overcome. Give it some time, use the simple tricks above, and keep your dentist in the loop if the problem doesn’t improve. A well-fitting denture should feel natural and comfortable once the adjustment phase is over.
Supporting Literature
Excessive saliva is a normal short-term reaction to new dentures, and studies show it typically improves as your mouth adjusts. These scientific resources explain why it happens and how saliva flow changes with denture use:
- Comparison of Saliva Flow Rates Before and After Denture Placement – PubMed
- Effect of Denture Use on Saliva Quantity and Quality – PubMed
- Assessment of Whole Saliva Flow Rate in Denture-Wearing Patients – PubMed
- Muddugangadhar BC, Sangur R, Rudraprasad IV, Nandeeshwar DB, Kumar BH. A clinical study to compare between resting and stimulated whole salivary flow rate and pH before and after complete denture placement in different age groups. J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2015 Oct-Dec;15(4):356-66. doi: 10.4103/0972-4052.164907. PMID: 26929540; PMCID: PMC4762355
- Márton K, Boros I, Fejérdy P, Madléna M. Evaluation of unstimulated flow rates of whole and palatal saliva in healthy patients wearing complete dentures and in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome. J Prosthet Dent. 2004 Jun;91(6):577-81. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2004.03.031. PMID: 15211301.
- Sonthalia A, Chandrasekaran AP, Mhaske SP, Lau M, Joshy VR, Attokaran G. Comparative evaluation of effect of complete denture wears on the flow rate of saliva in both medicated and apparently healthy patients. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2016 May-Jun;6(3):219-23. doi: 10.4103/2231-0762.183103. Epub 2016 May 30. PMID: 27382537; PMCID: PMC4916795.