The process of wearing dentures comes as a shock to everyone who decides to wear them. They restore your smile, ease the act of eating, and enable you to speak confidently and with clarity. Although they are not natural teeth, dentures require proper care to stay functional and look their best.
If you adopt certain practices, your dentures will look excellent and function perfectly for years to come.
Dentures collect food bits and germs just like natural teeth do. If you skip cleaning them, you might deal with bad breath or red and itchy gums. You could even get a painful infection.
Good care also keeps them from getting stained or scratched. Most importantly, it helps them keep their shape so they do not start hurting you when you take a bite.
You should scrub your dentures every single day to keep bacteria away. Take them out and use a soft brush made specifically for dentures. Use a cleaner that is gentle to get into the small grooves that sit against your gums.
Stay away from regular toothpaste. Most of it is too gritty and will leave tiny scratches on the surface. Those scratches are the perfect place for germs to hide and grow.
Try to get into the habit of taking your dentures out and giving them a quick rinse under the faucet after you eat.
This is a very simple step that washes away loose food before it can stick or start to smell. It keeps your mouth feeling much fresher throughout the day.
Dentures need moisture to keep their correct shape. When you go to bed, put them in a soaking solution or a plain glass of water.
If they dry out, the material can warp or even shrink. That is the fastest way to ruin how they fit in your mouth.
Dentures are strong enough for chewing, but they can break easily if you drop them on a hard floor. When you are cleaning them, work over a folded towel or a sink full of water.
That way, if they slip out of your soapy hands, they have a soft place to land instead of breaking into pieces.
Even if you do not have any natural teeth left, your gums and the roof of your mouth still need care. Use a very soft brush to gently clean those areas every morning.
This clears away plaque and keeps the blood flowing in your gum tissue. This actually helps your dentures sit more comfortably.
Some foods are just tough on dental work. Sticky snacks or very hard candies can damage the material. They can also pull the dentures loose while you are eating.
Also, never use your dentures as tools to open packages. You do not want to break them just to open a plastic bag.
You still need to see your dentist regularly. They need to check your gum health and make sure the dentures still fit the right way.
Your mouth actually changes shape as you get older. A quick professional adjustment can save you from a lot of future soreness.
Should your dentures begin feeling loose or have any sore areas, do not just ignore the issue. Contact your dentist immediately.
Loose-fitting dentures can cause an infection or bone loss. Taking care of the issue will make sure you stay comfortable and prevent any further problems.
Just a little bit of effort every day goes a long way. If you stay on top of the cleaning and go to your checkups, your dentures will keep you smiling with confidence for years.Our team at Riverside Family Dental is always here to help you. If you think you need a checkup or if you just have a quick question, give us a call at (586) 468-0983 to set up a time to talk.
