Dentures are a great way to replace entire or partial rows of missing teeth and return to your regular life. The dentures replacing some of the teeth are called partial dentures, whereas the ones replacing all are called complete dentures. As dentures restore the appearance and functionality of your teeth, they need to be well cared for. However, caring for dentures is not spoken much about, and because of this, it often gets difficult to maintain your dentures properly, and they need repair or replacement.
In this blog, we will discuss what are the best ways to maintain your dentures to extend their lifespan, which could be helpful in reducing replacement costs.
- Why Denture Care Is Important
Caring well for the dentures is important in maintaining oral health and denture health in the long term. Also, being a significant monetary investment, caring for them becomes further crucial. If left uncared for, dentures can wear down to feel uncomfortable and turn ill-fitting. This can also lead to the need for frequent adjustments or replacements, elevating the costs further.
If your dentures are worn out, it can also cause oral health problems such as gum irritation, oral health problems, and bad breath. The key to avoiding all these issues is to keep your dentures clean and care well for them so they look and feel the best.
- Daily Cleaning Routine for Dentures
- Rinse after eating: Remove your dentures after every meal and rinse them under clear water to remove any food particles or plaque. This will keep them free from bacteria and infections.
- Brush daily: Even though dentures are not your natural teeth, they need similar dental care. Brush your dentures every day using a soft-toothed toothbrush before wearing them. Also, make sure that you use denture-safe toothpaste for the purpose.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: For cleaning and rinsing your dentures, use dentist-recommended cleaners and avoid the use of harsh chemicals on them.
- Soak dentures overnight: It is important to remove your dentures while you sleep and keep them in a water-based denture solution overnight. This helps retain their shape and moisture and promotes their longevity.
- Handling Dentures with Care
- Prevent accidental drops: After removing the dentures or while cleaning them, keep them on a soft surface like a towel instead of slippery or uneven surfaces so you do not accidentally drop them to cause breakage.
- Avoid bending or damaging clasps: When you are cleaning your dentures, be gentle on them and avoid bending them or holding them aggressively. This can cause permanent damage and require repairs.
- Use proper storage: When the dentures are not in use, store them in a denture case or a clean place to avoid bacteria formation or infections.
- Regular Checkups and Professional Cleaning
Regular checkups and professional cleaning are the most important keys to good oral health, and the same applies when you have dentures on. Even with regular at-home cleanings, dentures can accumulate plaque on the surfaces, which needs professional attention. Regular checkups can also assess your dentures for changing fitting, and oral health monitoring to ensure everything is in place.
- Common Denture Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping daily cleaning: Cleaning your dentures every day is a must, which, if skipped, can lead to bacterial buildup, gum infections and other oral health issues.
- Using hot water: Soaking your dentures in hot water is a common mistake that causes warping and disturbs their fit.
- DIY repairs: When there is damage to the dentures, try not to use DIY techniques to repair them. This can lead to further damage to it. Instead, visit your dentist for a proper professional fix.
- Handling Stains and Odors
Dentures can sometimes stain or smell funny due to the meals you consume. This is how you can handle such stains and odors without damaging your braces.
- Preventing stains: For clean and bright dentures; reduce coffee, tea, and tobacco consumption. These beverages significantly stain dentures, making them hard to clean.
- Dealing with odors: Oral odors can usually be caused by bacterial buildup. To overcome this, soak your dentures in a soaking solution to kill bacteria and neutralize odors.
Proper dental care is essential to prolong your dentures’ life and keep them healthy. It is also a great way to cut down on repair or replacement costs. By handling your dentures with care, storing them well, and visiting your dentist regularly, you can keep your dentures in the best condition and make them last up to a decade.