If you have been unfortunate enough to lose teeth through misfortune or general tooth decay then you may now have a denture, or a prosthetic device designed to replace any and all missing teeth. While dentures are a great way to save on the embarrassment often associated with missing teeth and even help to support your facial structure, there is still some work associated to keep them in the best shape.
Learning how to correctly care for your dentures will save you money in the long run as they will last for longer. Your dentures will be quite durable but the constant wear and tear that they are faced with day in and day out puts a strain on the material that they are made out of. I hope that you will find the following few tips useful, make sure that you keep them up and you will get the most out of your dentures:
Clean your dentures regularly
Ideally you should spend a couple of minutes cleaning your dentures after every meal or at least giving them a quick rinse if you are in a rush. This will stop any staining of the prosthetic teeth that could become embarrassing and will also remove any bits of food that have become caught underneath. This doesn’t have to be a lot of work when you follow this simple three step plan.
- Rinse away any bits of food on the underside of your dentures; you’ll be able to see them.
- Moisten your specialist toothbrush.
- Apply denture cleaner to the toothbrush and brush gently around every surface.
Don’t use a regular toothbrush and toothpaste unless you have checked with your dentist first as too tough-a brush and the chemicals within your toothbrush could do long term damage to your dentures. Your dentist can advise you on the best products to buy to keep your dentures clean.
Don’t let your dentures dry out
Dry dentures can start to lose their shape. While they’re in your mouth they will be fine as your saliva will keep them moist but when you are not wearing them, such as at night, be sure to place them in water or ideally in denture soaking solution.
If your dentures have started to rub, feel uncomfortable or even feel too loose a change in shape could be the reason in which case you may need to have them refitted, or even replaced. Visit your dentist again if your dentures are causing you any discomfort and they will offer advice.
Be careful when handling your dentures
Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons that dentures have to be replaced is due to being dropped on hard floors. This can cause a crack or fracture within the prosthetic material that can loosen or break one of the teeth. That and biting hard on hard foods are the two most common causes for repair, especially if the dentures are old.
Be aware of the risks and take care with your dentures in order to get the most life out of them.
