Dentures have been the ultimate solution to missing teeth for decades. They are affordable and allow your mouth to function as well as it would with your original teeth. However, getting the most out of full and partial new dentures varies from patient to patient and how they care for their dentures.
Dentures might not be for everyone, since some patients may not have the temperament for dentures, as they require some additional care when compared to dental implants. In any case, we have 5 ways denture wearers can get the most out of their new dentures. Following our tips will ensure your dentures last for years and function almost as well as your original teeth.
Maintain your new dentures
Dentures require a little more care than dental implants. To get the most out of them, you need to ensure that you maintain and clean your dentures. To do this, you need to do the following:
- Brush your dentures: You need to brush your dentures at least once a day. Use a soft-bristled brush and a denture cleanser to clean out any food debris left in your dentures.
- Rinse dentures after eating: Remove your dentures after you eat and rinse them in water. This will ensure that food particles are washed out from between the teeth.
- Soak them overnight: To ensure your dentures stay in shape and remain clean, you need to soak them overnight in a denture-soaking solution. You can ask your dentist which solution is best for your dentures and be sure to soak them every night.
- Handle them with care: Dentures can easily break if you were to drop them. Make sure you handle them with care every time you take the dentures out. Place them on soft surfaces and store them properly when they are not in use.
Avoid using products that may be harmful to dentures
Certain products can be harmful to your dentures and must be avoided at all costs. These are:
- Abrasive cleaning products: Like with your original teeth, you want to avoid hard-bristled toothbrush, harsh toothpaste, and strong cleansers. While they may claim to provide you with results, they can be abrasive to your dentures and damage them.
- Whitening toothpaste: Whitening products contain peroxide which results in dentures changing color if applied to them.
- Hot water: The plastic of your dentures can warp due when it comes in contact with hot water, deforming the dentures.
- Products with bleach: Bleach like peroxide can result in your dentures changing colors. Bleach will also weaken your dentures, ruining its shape if exposed for a long period.
Eat with a little more caution
It’s rather exciting for patients to be able to eat and chew food with dentures as they would with their original teeth. However, you need to be a little more cautious when you eat. When eating, you need to:
- Start slowly: You need to get used to your dentures so don’t eat food which requires you to chew a lot. Test them out with liquids and food items like oatmeal and soups for a few days.
- Chew evenly: Don’t rely on one side of your mouth to do all the chewing, this can result in the dentures slipping out of place. Chew on both sides of your mouth as evenly as you can.
- Take smaller bites: Cut your foods into small pieces so you don’t put too much pressure on the dentures and gums. It also makes it easier for you to chew your food.
- Clean your dentures after sticky foods: Be a little more careful when you eat candies that stick or food like peanut butter. Rinse your dentures thoroughly after you consume such food items so they aren’t stuck to your dentures leading to an infection.
Give them a break
It is important for the dentures and the tissues in your mouth to get some break. Ideally, you should remove your dentures at night and let them soak in a solution for six to eight hours. However, if you can’t take your dentures out at night for one reason or another, you need to find some time during the day to do so. It doesn’t have to be six to eight hours in one go, you can take them out for a few hours at a time.
Giving your dentures a break will enable them to last longer and also gives your mouth tissues exposure to much-needed oxygen.
Regularly visit your dentist
You don’t always have to wait around for an emergency to visit your dentist. With dentures, you should continue visiting your dentists every six months for regular checkups. They can make sure that the dentures function well and fit perfectly. Your dentist can notice any problems with the dentures, that you may not be able to and provide you with guidelines on how to fix them. They can also tell you when you are in need of new dentures.
Dentures make life easier for those with missing teeth. Whether you opt for partial or full dentures, you can go through life as you with if your teeth never went missing. You no longer have to hide your smile due to embarrassment or miss out on eating your favorite foods. Yes, you need to be a little more careful but that is the price you need to pay to ensure your dentures stay in shape and remain functional.
