Denture phobia

[Brooklyn1234]

Hi I had 2 lower front teeth out last week and now have a partial denture. Since then I have developed this overwhelming phobia about swallowing and choking on the denture. Has anyone else ever felt this way? Is it possible that I could realistically swallow and choke on this denture? I’m also 19 weeks pregnant and all this worry and anxiety and stress isn’t good, it’s taking over my life

You can speak to your dentist for reassurance. But I would also speak to your midwife about your anxiety.

Thank you for your reply I have an appointment with my dentist tomorrow, I’m hoping they can at least put my mind at rest and I also want to talk about other options such as a bridge. I never thought that having this partial denture was going to cause me such anxiety or I would never have had them out I would rather have put up with the horrible infections I was getting. It hasn’t been worth the stress, it’s interfering with daily life all I do is worry all day long that I’m going to choke on it. This phobia has taken over my life. I will talk to my midwife when I see her but I know what’s causing the anxiety is this denture. It’s a small denture that’s why I’m concerned.

Have you thought of trying denture adhesive, like Polygrip? I have a top denture and it only stays in place because of the adhesive. My dad had a single tooth on a denture and apart from taking it out for sport it never moved. Hopefully your dentist can reassure you

But it’s not a reasonable level of concern. You do need to speak to the midwife.

I haven’t tried polygrip as they click in place so not really anywhere to attach an adhesive to. Did your dad have a top or bottom denture? The top ones are usually on a plate so are bigger so I wouldn’t worry about them as much

Do you think I am worrying for nothing? I will definitely speak to my midwife and see what she says

This is the size of them just to show

You can't swallow or choke on those (don't sleep in them though, for dental hygiene) ..way too large to get anywhere near getting stuck!
I had a much smaller partial denture.. a one tooth one (is yours Valplast flexible...it looks like mine) which was tiny and I never choked on it.
(I lost it instead down the sink!!!)
But you need to talk to your midwife about your anxiety. x

said with the confidence of someone who's never had to fish dentures out of a compromised airway! 😉(very much more of a risk in someone with cognitive impairment and dodgy airway reflexes though)