Although modern dentures are safe, reliable, hygienic, and are built to withstand a lot of use over a long period of time, they nonetheless require a certain degree of responsibility from those who own the devices. That is why it is important to educate yourself concerning the ownership of dentures and what it means to take care of your prosthetic teeth. Although it may seem like there is a lot to learn at once and that it might get confusing having to change your daily routine, you’ll come to realize that it really is quite simple to adjust to using dentures and that taking care of a pair is really an easy process.
The first thing to understand is that while dentures are prosthetic devices made to replace natural teeth, taking good care of dentures is equally important to taking good care of natural teeth. This is a crucial issue that, when properly considered, will put you in the correct frame of mind to becoming responsible to both your oral health and a set of false teeth. Several problems, such as gingivitis and plaque, can still occur so make certain to take care of your mouth and your dentures all the same.
Cleaning Your Dentures
When handling dentures to clean them, position yourself over a folded towel or a sink filled with water so as not to drop the device onto a hard surface. Carefully rinse your dentures thoroughly to remove any loose food particles that may be stuck in them. You may use cool or warm water, but never use hot water as it can warp the design. Apply a denture cleaning paste recommended by your dentist to a moistened toothbrush or denture brush and gently scrub all surfaces thoroughly. Finally, rinse the dentures again to remove all paste residue.
When cleaning dentures, do not neglect to clean your mouth as well. Not only do a pair of dentures need maintenance, but care should also be given to the tissues in your mouth. After removing your dentures, place them on a towel and make certain to brush around your gums, tongue and palate with a soft toothbrush to remove whatever plaque and debris that might be present and to stimulate oral blood flow. Also, massage your gum tissue by placing the thumb and index finger over the ridges and apply a gentle amount of pressure along the tissue lines. This helps to promote proper circulation and relieve mouth fatigue.
Denture Solutions
When not wearing your dentures, the device should always be kept in water or a denture solution recommended by your dentist. Dentures require being kept moist when not being worn so that they do not dry out and become brittle or lose their shape from warping. However, keep in mind that dentures with metal attachments could tarnish when placed in some soaking solutions, so always consult whatever you do with your dentist first prior to making decisions regarding denture care.
Denture Adjustments and Repair
Over the course of time you might find that, regardless of your best efforts, your dentures might start showing fatigue or becoming uncomfortable to wear. These things are usually a sign that you need adjustments or repairs. Whatever happens, make certain to never attempt to fix your dentures yourself. Bending metal parts or trying to force your dentures into different shapes can permanently damage them or even ruin them entirely. In the event that your dentures require adjustment or a fix, make it a priority to contact your oral health care provider because, oftentimes, he or she can provide the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day that you call. However, for more complicated issues, your dentures may have to be sent to a special laboratory for repairs.
Possible Hazards of Continuous Use
Finally, keep in mind that you should always leave your dentures out overnight or at least out of the mouth for a period of six to eight hours daily. Wearing dentures continuously without a break can result in serious infections of the gums. Again, it is important to clean your gums regularly and let them rest from time to time. This is crucial to maintaining healthy operation of your mouth.
Replace Your Dentures Periodically
Dentures are not designed to last forever and need to be replaced. To determine whether you need new dentures, ask yourself: Are you mashing your food instead of chewing it? Do you worry about them popping out whenever you laugh? Does it seem that your face has developed a sunken appearance? These are all issues that can be resolved with a new pair of dentures. Furthermore, the dentures of today look much more realistic than they did ten or even five years ago. It is worth your while to learn whether a new pair of dentures make sense for you.