Tips for Keeping Your Dentures Clean and in Good Condition
Posted on: August 28th, 2015 by Dr. Gabor Bodnar
If you are in need of an oral prosthetic to replace your teeth, consider dentures. This solution has been around for hundreds of years, but technology has made them more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before. Dentures continue to remain popular because they work so well. Whether you have suffered from partial tooth loss or lost all of your teeth, this is a viable solution for replacing them. We can make sure they look amazing and fit securely in place, so you can enjoy wearing them. Then, it will be up to you to take proper care of them. If you do so, they can last for five years or longer. Here are a few tips for you to try at home:
Handle them carefully. Dentures are durable enough to provide you with the ability to eat without concern. However, they can also be broken if you are not careful. If they are accidentally dropped or bumped off the counter, they can become damaged, so you may want to place them on a clean washcloth while brushing your gums.
Brush gently. You need to be sure to brush your dentures on a daily basis to remove food particles and plaque. When you do, avoid brushing with a hard toothbrush, since this can cause your dentures to become scratched. Also, you should avoid using traditional toothpaste as that can also scratch them. Use water or a special paste instead.
Use a dentures cleaning device. If you want to help your dentures look extra clean, you may want to use an ultrasonic cleaning device once a week or every few days. All you have to do is put the dentures in a special cleaning solution, and the ultrasonic waves will clean it for you. This cannot take the place of daily brushing, though.
Soak them nightly. It is important to keep your dentures moist. We suggest removing them nightly and placing them either in water or a special soaking solution. The one you use will be based on the type of dentures you have, so we can provide you with specific advice when you visit our dental office.
Our goal is to help you to have lifelong oral health, and ensuring that your dentures are the perfect fit is part of that process. We start by examining you, taking x-rays, and creating an impression of your mouth. This, along with measurements, will be used to create a set of dentures that fits securely and comfortably. We will also ensure they look like a natural set of teeth. Before you leave with your new set of dentures, we will have you try them on to make sure the fit is secure. Then, we recommend that you visit our office once a year so we can examine your mouth and your dentures to ensure they are still fitting securely. It is possible for your jaw to shrink through resorption, and these regular appointments will make sure it continues to fit appropriately.
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