Taking care of your teeth is essential, whether your teeth are real or not. Oral health is all about cleaning your mouth, and that applies to natural teeth and dentures alike.
Dentures provide a wonderful way for people who are missing teeth — whether due to gum disease, injury, or something else — to eat and smile confidently.
Dentures can last a long time, but you need to maintain them carefully. Here are ten tips to keep in mind to help you maintain your dentures and keep your mouth clean.
1. Rinse Dentures After Eating
It’s a good idea to remove your dentures after every meal and rinse them under the tap. Washing keeps food particles and other debris away.
Tip: If you’re rinsing your dentures over a hard surface like a countertop, put a cloth underneath in case you accidentally drop your dentures. The cloth will prevent the dentures from breaking.
If you’re rinsing your dentures over a sink, fill it up with water.
2. Clean Your Mouth After Meals
There’s no point in cleaning your dentures after you eat if you’re just going to put them inside a food-filled mouth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your mouth, tongue, and palate before putting your dentures inside.
3. Brush Dentures Daily
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice daily, but you should brush your dentures at least once a day with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser.
Oral health is very important, so your dentures need to be free of any food particles or debris. Just like you need to eliminate small traces of food from your teeth, you need to do the same for your dentures.
4. Keep Them Hydrated Overnight
Dentures usually need to stay moist overnight to retain their shape. Keep them in a glass of water or a mild denture-soaking solution.
If you have any questions or concerns about properly storing your dentures overnight, ask Dr. Sarna’s team at Dentistry on 7th or your denture’s manufacturer.
5. Before Putting Dentures Back In, Rinse Thoroughly
Denture-soaking solutions can contain harmful chemicals. Always wash your dentures before putting them back in your mouth.
Otherwise, the chemicals could cause vomiting, pain, or even burns. Make sure the dentures are safe before putting them back inside your mouth.
6. If you Have a Loose Fit, See Your Dentist
Don’t hesitate to visit a dentist in Hamilton if your dentures aren’t fitting snugly. You can develop sores, irritation, and infection from loose dentures.
It’s not good to walk around all day with something loose in your mouth. Food can get stuck in the cracks, and no good can come of it.
7. See Your Dentist Regularly, Anyway
Dentists recommend regular visits to get your dentures professionally cleaned and inspected. The frequency of visits changes depending on each patient.
The dentist will also inspect your mouth to ensure your oral health is otherwise good and that there’s no discomfort related to wearing dentures.
8. Get Implants, Instead
Some people prefer to get dental implants instead of dentures. Perhaps they are only missing one tooth, or the dentist has determined dentures are more suitable for them.
Dental implants can change your life because your teeth will look and feel more natural, and there are positive health outcomes associated with implants. Modifying nearby teeth is unnecessary when you have implants, unlike dentures.
This is better for your oral health. Plus, wearing dentures puts you at greater risk for dementia and may reduce lifespans, as people with dentures tend to suffer more from malnutrition, poor digestion, added stress, and immobility.
Dentures will increase your confidence and get you smiling more. According to numerous studies, the very act of smiling releases chemicals which reduce stress and depression, and positively impact the heart.
The team at Dentistry on 7th led by Dr. Sarna offers complete or partial denture service, including fabricating new custom-made and fitted dentures that combine functionality and aesthetics. Your dentures will give you additional confidence, resulting in a brighter and more constant smile.
9. Cleaning Solutions to Avoid
Knowing what not to do to your dentures can be just as important as knowing what you should do. Don’t clean your dentures with abrasive materials like strong cleaners or harsh toothpaste. Refrain from using a stiff-bristled brush, too.
Boiling or even hot water can potentially warp your dentures. Rinse with cold or lukewarm water only. Other liquids to avoid cleaning your dentures with include:
- Whitening toothpaste: these usually contain peroxide, which doesn’t clean dentures effectively.
- Bleach-containing products: bleaching agents can damage dentures and alter their colour.
- Chlorine: dentures with metal attachments get tarnished and corroded if they’re in chlorine.
Tepid water is perfect for cleaning dentures. You don’t need to get fancy!
10. Foods to Avoid Eating
Finally, you’re wise to steer clear of certain food items that can get stuck to your dentures and cause issues. Sticky foods can cause your dentures to shift, creating space that traps food particles.
Biting into hard food can cause the dentures to become displaced, which can also create space which traps food particles. Stick to soft food when you initially get your dentures, such as:
- Broth
- Pudding
- Hot cereals
- Apple sauce
- Juice
- Yogurt
After a while, you’ll get accustomed to eating with dentures, and you can gradually venture to eat harder and harder food. Cut it up into small pieces, so you don’t need to chew as much.
Note: the denture will insulate part of your mouth from heat, and you may not be sensitive to hot food. Give yourself a few days to adjust before eating hot food.
Handle your dentures carefully with the above tips in mind, and not only will they last for a long time, but they will also improve your oral health. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact Dentistry on 7th if you have any questions concerning denture maintenance, dental implants, or any other tooth-related inquiries.