Dentures are a great way to restore your smile if you have missing teeth. They can also improve the quality of life for many patients who are unable to chew, speak, or swallow properly because of their missing teeth. When you receive dentures, you don’t want to have to replace them, so these are a few important things to keep in mind when caring for your dentures.
Eating Habits
To prevent your dentures from being damaged, avoid chewing on ice or other hard foods like candy. If you wear your dentures while eating and food gets trapped beneath them, remove the dentures and rinse them with water. Although trapped food is not an immediate problem, it can cause bacteria to build up if it sits there for an extended period of time.
Brushing and Flossing
Regularly brush your remaining teeth, gums, and palate twice a day to prevent a buildup of plaque and tooth-decaying bacteria. Brushing also includes massaging the gums gently to prevent gum disease and cleaning your tongue to remove bacteria and maintain fresh breath. Flossing and mouth rinses are also helpful tools for preserving oral health and should be used along with your daily brushing.
Denture Cleaning
Although your dentures are not “real teeth,” bacteria can still build up on the surface, harming the remaining teeth and your gums. Carefully clean your denture with a denture brush and cleaning product or toothpaste once a day. We recommend cleaning and rinsing it over a sink full of water in case the denture is accidentally dropped.
You should also soak your denture periodically in a soaking solution or use half white vinegar and half water if there are no metal parts. After soaking your dentures, rinse them thoroughly with cool water before placing them back in your mouth.
Denture Storage
Remove your dentures while you sleep and keep them stored in a soaking solution or cool water in a closed container so that they do not dry out. We recommend removing the dentures for at least 6-8 hours per day. If you have children or pets, make sure to keep your dentures in a place that is out of reach.
Dental Checkups
Regular dental exams are necessary for every person. Maintaining the health of your teeth and a beautiful smile is important! If you wear dentures, you should also schedule an appointment if your bite feels uneven or you develop sore spots, inflammation, swelling, or discomfort from your dentures. If the dentures become loose, cracked, or broken, your dentist can also repair it.
Schedule a Consultation
At South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to our patients’ overall well-being and oral health. Whether you need a regular dentist appointment or assistance fitting or repairing your dentures, we encourage you to schedule a consultation today by calling our office or filling out an online contact form.
