For many people, dentures offer a wonderful way to bring back a confident smile. But over time, it’s very common for dentures to become loose and start to feel uncomfortable. This can make everyday activities — such as speaking, eating, or even smiling — more challenging than they need to be.

At Ashbury Dental Care, our goal is to help you feel comfortable, secure, and confident in your smile, while keeping your oral health in top shape. Dentures can sometimes become loose, which can affect how you eat, speak, and feel day to day. Below, we’ll explain the common reasons dentures loosen over time and the practical solutions available. From quick in‑practice adjustments to longer-term options that help your dentures stay stable and comfortable.

Over time, the shape of your mouth naturally changes. The bone beneath the gums can shrink, meaning dentures that once fitted snugly may start to slip or rub. This is one of the most common reasons patients experience loose dentures amongst other reasons.

Bone loss gradually causes dentures to lose their proper fit.

Changes to the mouth and gums occur naturally as we age.

Even well‑made dentures eventually need maintenance.

Short‑Term Solutions for Loose Dentures

Denture adhesive can provide extra grip and stability. Many patients find this helpful for day‑to‑day comfort. These adhesives can help ease looseness between fittings.

A dentist can adjust parts of the denture, so it fits more comfortably. Professional adjustments are one of the most effective ways to restore a secure fit.

Gentle at‑home troubleshooting may give temporary relief, such as checking for food debris under your denture and cleaning your denture well.

A denture reline refreshes the fitting surface of your denture so it sits more comfortably against your gums. This is often recommended when natural changes, like gradual bone loss, alter the shape of your mouth. In some cases, the reline can be done in the practice, while other times the denture may need to be sent to a dental lab for a more precise adjustment.

For a more stable, long-term solution, implant‑retained dentures are an excellent option. These dentures are secured by dental implants, providing exceptional stability and improving both comfort and chewing ability.

At Ashbury Dental Care, our Specialist Oral Surgeon provides implant services in our modern, state‑of‑the‑art surgeries with beautiful views. From consultation to placement, we ensure you feel comfortable and supported every step of the way.

If dentures have worn down or changed shape significantly, a new set may be the best solution to restore function and comfort.

We understand how distressing loose dentures can feel - especially when they affect your confidence or your enjoyment of food and social activities. Our team provides gentle, tailored care to find the right solution for you.

At Ashbury Dental Care, you’ll benefit from:

On‑site parking and a fully accessible practice

Impression‑free treatment using our modern intra‑oral scanner

Specialist oral surgeon for implant and surgical needs

A relaxed, comfortable environment with views over our beautiful Budleigh Salterton surroundings

Whether you need a simple adjustment or you’re interested in exploring implant‑retained dentures, we’re here to help.

If your dentures feel loose, uncomfortable or are affecting your day‑to‑day life, please contact us to book your consultation; call 01395 444432 or 

 and our team will get back to you within 1 working day.

Our team will be delighted to welcome you, offer advice, and help you feel comfortable again.

Solutions to loose-fitting dentures

Many local people enjoy an active lifestyle here in East Devon—whether that’s bowls, croquet, tennis, golf, cricket, walking the coastal path or taking part in local fitness groups. With so many opportunities to stay active, it’s important to make sure your teeth are protected too.

Two of the simplest ways to safeguard your smile are mouth guards and sports guards. Although they sound similar, they serve very different purposes.

A mouth guard (often called a night guard) is worn while you sleep. It helps prevent damage caused by:

Excess pressure on teeth, crowns or fillings

Many people grind their teeth without realising it, and over time this can lead to cracking, wear, headaches and jaw pain. A professionally fitted mouth guard gently cushions the teeth and supports the jaw, helping prevent long‑term problems.

A sports guard is worn during physical activity to protect against injury. Even low‑impact sports and hobbies can put your teeth at risk of knocks or falls. A properly made sports guard can help protect against:

They are especially important for anyone who plays tennis, cricket, rugby, football, or participates in gym and fitness classes.

Although shop‑bought guards are available, they rarely fit well and don’t offer the same level of protection.

At Ashbury Dental Care, guards are made using our impression‑free digital scanner, meaning:

Safe for patients with crowns, bridges or implants

For children and teens who play local sports, a correctly fitted sports guard is essential—and we offer free routine dental care for children aged 5 and under with a registered parent or carer.

Whichever type you use, caring for it properly helps it last longer:

Bring it to your dental appointments so your dentist can check the fit

Avoid leaving it near heat, as this can cause it to warp.

Ashbury Dental Care in Budleigh Salterton offers same‑day emergency appointments, on‑site parking, state‑of‑the‑art surgeries with beautiful views, and a friendly, welcoming team.

If you’re unsure which type of guard you need, or you’d like one professionally made, our team would be delighted to help. Call 01395 444432 or 

Mouth guards vs sports guards: Protecting your smile

We’re delighted to share that our free children’s day was an incredibly positive and heart‑warming event. The practice was filled with brave young patients, lots of laughter, and plenty of proud moments as children took confident steps into their dental journeys.

Creating a calm, friendly and enjoyable environment for little ones is something we care deeply about. Introducing children to the dentist early helps them feel comfortable, build healthy habits, and understand that oral care is nothing to worry about. Our aim is always to make each visit encouraging, gentle, and most importantly fun.

Throughout the day, our team enjoyed welcoming families into the practice, offering reassuring support and celebrating every smile. Many children attended for their free dental check‑ups, which aligns perfectly with our ongoing commitment to helping local families access high‑quality dental care.

We couldn’t be prouder of every child who came along. Their enthusiasm and courage made the day truly special, and we feel privileged to be part of their early experiences in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

At Ashbury Dental Care, we believe positive experiences in childhood help build a lifetime of confident smiles—and yesterday was a beautiful reminder of why that matters so much.

Our free children's day was a huge success

General

Restorative

Our experienced team can answers your questions before booking, just send a message and we will get back to you the same working day.

Stay up to date with our latest news and updates on a range of treatments, hear from our experienced team on ways we can support your overall health and dental care.

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News & Updates

Stay up to date with our practice news and find out how our team are always improving on the service we provide. 

News & Updates at Ashbury Dental Care

News

The team at Ashbury Dental Practice all together in a treatment room smiling

About us

Clear aligners gently straighten teeth using nearly invisible, removable trays - offering a discreet, comfortable alternative to traditional braces.

Patient looking at a leaflet about clear aligners showing an illustration of how the aligners straighten teeth over time

Clear aligners

Invisalign clear aligners gently straighten your teeth using custom, nearly invisible trays. They offer a discreet, comfortable alternative to fixed braces.

patient having his mouth scanned ahead of invisalign treatment

Invisalign

Composite bonding reshapes and restores teeth beautifully. The treatment is minimally invasive, expertly delivered, and tailored to enhance natural smiles with precision.

dentist and dental nurse working on a patients teeth during a composite bonding procedure

Composite bonding

Dental veneers enhance the appearance of teeth by improving their shape, colour, and overall aesthetic. 

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Veneers

Tooth whitening safely lifts stains and brightens your natural enamel using dentist-prescribed gels — giving you a fresher, more confident smile with gentle, predictable results.

Boutique tooth whitening kit with bag, whitening gels, whitening trays and flyers

Tooth whitening

Dermal fillers gently restore volume, smooth fine lines, and enhance facial contours for a refreshed, natural-looking appearance.

A clean, well-lit treatment room ready for a patient to receive dermal fillers

Dermal fillers

Safe, prescription-only anti-wrinkle injections soften fine lines, enhance facial symmetry, and restore natural, youthful confidence.

A clean, well-lit treatment room ready for a patient to receive anti-wrinkle injections

Anti-wrinkle injections

Dental check-ups support long-term oral health through gentle assessments, tailor made advice, and a calm, welcoming experience from start to finish.

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Dental check-up

Gentle, friendly dental care to help children build healthy smiles and positive habits from their very first visit.

A dentist at Ashbury Dental Care treatment child in the dental chair

Children's dentist

Functional dentistry works to understand full body health and promote overall wellness.

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Functional dentistry

Same-day emergency appointments for fast, compassionate relief. Restoring comfort and care in a calm, welcoming, and professional environment.

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Emergency dentist

Professional cleaning, gum health assessment, and personalised oral hygiene advice from our experienced hygienists.

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Dental hygiene

Airflow tooth polishing gently removes plaque and stains, protecting teeth and gums with no discomfort.

Airflow tooth polishing

Dental phobia is eased through gentle care, clear communication, and a calming environment that prioritises patient comfort and emotional wellbeing.

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Dental phobia

Dental fillings restore decayed or damaged teeth using natural-looking materials. They are delivered gently by experienced clinicians in a calm, reassuring setting.

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Fillings

Tooth extractions are performed gently and professionally, with a focus on patient comfort, clear aftercare, and a reassuring experience from start to finish.

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Tooth extraction

Root canal treatment removes infection from inside the tooth, relieving pain and protecting your natural smile from further damage.

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Root canal

Custom mouth guards protect teeth from grinding, relieve jaw tension, and promote restful sleep.

Mouth guards

Custom sports mouth guards cushion impact, prevent dental trauma, and safeguard teeth.

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Sports guards

Dental implants replace missing teeth, restore tooth function and improve your smile.

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Implants

Dental crowns restore damaged teeth with precision and care - enhancing strength, function, and aesthetics.

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Crowns

Dental bridges restore missing teeth, improve function and aesthetics, and are crafted with precision for comfort, durability, and natural appearance.

Bridges

Botox for TMJ relaxes jaw muscles, easing clenching, reducing pain, and protecting teeth from grinding-related damage.

Botox for TMJ

Bone grafts and sinus augmentation rebuild lost bone, creating a stable foundation for implants with precision, comfort, and other restorative treatments.

A dentist pointing at a scan showing patient bone and x-ray

Bone grafts

Oral surgery treats impacted teeth, infections, and damage. Restore comfort, function, and health with expert care and gentle techniques.

Oral surgery

Inlays and onlays restore damaged teeth when fillings or crowns are not suitable.

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Inlays & Onlays

Dentures restore smiles by replacing missing teeth, improving function and confidence.

Two dentists in a treatment room wearing face masks and eye protection