If you have dentures, don’t worry, you are not alone. Almost 15% of Americans wear dentures. People treat dentures similar to braces, and they make huge mistakes while maintaining the care. Eating sticky food, not properly washing it, not using the right products, and using bleach-containing products that totally ruin the texture of dentures. Don’t make mistakes if you want to have a healthy denture with longevity.
The purpose of maintaining them is to remove the slime, bacteria, or debris- that build up on them.
Let’s delve into this article to learn tips for maintaining dentures.
Denture Maintenance tips
- After eating food, always wash it with running water over it to get rid of the food debris. This is one of the most valuable practices that can help you use dentures in the long run.
- Don’t bend your dentures, as it can break or bend them permanently, and then you need to invest more in other ones. Handle them with care.
- In order to remove food particles, milk, or other products, brush them softly, and use an effective cleaning solution. Moreover, if you are using denture adhesive, clean the grooves that are fit against the gums. Make sure you get rid of the leftover adhesive, and never ever use the cleansers directly into your mouth.
- The most important point is that the cleaning solutions have harmful chemicals that can cause vomit, burns, or pain. So, first, remove them, wash them thoroughly in each and every corner, and then put them into your mouth. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, if you are using bleach-containing solution, do not leave them for longer than 10 minutes.
- Even though you have successfully implanted your dentures, still schedule regular check-ups with your dentist. They can check the fitting, any debris, or if the bacteria is there or not.
- Never even leave your mouth uncleaned after removing dentures. This is an important step that most of the people forget. Make sure to use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean the tongue, teeth, cheeks, and roof of your mouth.
- If you are feeling that your dentures are somehow not fitted as expected, then make an immediate appointment with your dentist. It can cause irritation, infection, and soreness.
How often you should clean dentures?
Dentists recommend washing them twice a day to maintain the effectiveness of the dentures. It is always good to wash them in the morning and before going to bed, but make sure to soak them in cleaning solution each night. This helps to remove all the unnecessary bacteria from it and ensures protection from infections.
Moreover, if you can have partial dentures, then don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis.
Pro tips:
- Stay away from abrasive cleaning materials- there are a number of cleaning materials available in the market, and we don’t know what kind of helpful and effective one. So, rather than choosing by yourself, it is good to consult your dentist. Moreover, don’t use a product that has bleach in the ingredients.
- Hot water, Nah- if you want your denture to be good, then avoid hot or boiling water. Hot water can cause them to wrap or bend.
- Handle with care- dentures are fragile and can easily break, so always make sure to put them in a box with care and sink them in water.
- Don’t sleep with dentures on- sleeping with dentures can lead to gum irritation, and you might be infected with dental stomatitis (fungal infection).
- Always wash them after eating- if you want your dentures to have a long life shelf, then rinse them with warm water after eating.
When do you need to call your dentist?
The regular appointment is a must, but if you are unable to, then here are some of the points where you need to focus on.
- Not feeling comfortable
- Unable to fit properly
- Broken dentures or teeth
- You can hear noise while eating or talking
- Mouth soreness
- Bad breadth
- Bleeding gums
Takeaway: Yes, dentures do help to enhance smiles and boost self-confidence. If you are not taking care of them, then it can lower your confidence. This article has highlighted the important points, but if you are still confused or unable to decide which product you can use to maintain denture life, then it is time to contact Elite Dental Group.