About 15 % of the edentulous population has dentures made each year. Denture technology has rapidly improved over recent years and they are an excellent solution for patients with missing teeth. A full smile will not only boost your self-confidence, but it is critical for everyday functions such as eating and speaking. In order to truly take advantage of what today’s dentures can offer, it is important to understand the proper denture care you will need to embrace in order to avoid disruptive or costly complications.
Wear Them Often
Wearing your dentures as much as possible will speed up your adjustment period and help you and your dentist identify irritation spots. Your dentist can easily modify your dentures so that they fit comfortably. Simply choosing not to wear your dentures due to irritation or soreness is not a good option; let your dentist make the necessary adjustments sooner rather than later.
Rinse After Eating
Denture maintenance requires a simple rinsing after eating. Hold your dentures under cool water for about 30 seconds. By neglecting to removes food and debris through rinsing, you
may be leaving behind the potential for soft tissue infection of the gums.
Soak in Cool Water
Do not soak your dentures in hot water. Hot water can cause your dentures to melt and change shape. Even the smallest changes in the shape of your dentures can cause them to fit uncomfortably. In addition, make sure your dentures are completely submerged in water during storage. A dried out portion of your dentures can again cause warping.
Use Denture Cleaning Agents
Invest in specific denture cleaning agents and instruments. It might seem okay to use your toothbrush for cleaning, but it can be too abrasive and damage your denture appliance. As with natural teeth, try to clean your dentures twice a day. Ask your dentist for recommended denture toothpaste.
Just because you don’t have your natural teeth, doesn’t mean you can skip cleaning your tongue and gums. Plaque can build up on your gums just as easily as it does on teeth. Brushing your gums and tongue daily will also stimulate healthy tissue in your mouth. Gilreath Family Dentistry is proud to offer patients an effective and comfortable tooth replacement option with dentures. With the proper care and cleaning, your dentures can make you feel and look like you have a full set of natural teeth!
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
