Caring For Your Dentures
There are many people out there with missing teeth and there are different treatment options that can help them get their smiles back and restore their ability to chew. One of those treatment options is dentures, where the patient can place them in their mouth to be able to speak, smile, and chew properly. And just as they help you look better and make you feel like you have teeth again, it’s important to take care of them so that they will perform properly and last a long time. Proper denture care is important for the health of your dentures as well as your mouth.
1. Be gentle with your dentures.
Be careful not to drop your dentures or put them in places where they might fall, break, or crack. Also, remember not to leave them in places of extreme temperatures like in a hot vehicle, which will cause the material to melt or the dentures to become distorted.
2. Make it a daily routine to brush and rinse your dentures.
Just like natural teeth, dentures also need to be brushed to get rid of food particles and bacteria, as well as to avoid stains. Use a soft brush made specially for dentures and brush as often as you would brush your natural teeth, while also rinsing the dentures after every meal. When brushing, do so gently to avoid damaging the plastic or the attachments.
3. Clean your dentures with a denture cleaner.
Do not use toothpaste or household cleaning detergents to clean your dentures. Also avoid using bleach on your dentures as it can affect the color and texture of the dentures. Instead, use a mild handwashing or dishwashing liquid soap. There are products on the market that are made specially for cleaning dentures. Products with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance are recommended since they have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
4. When you’re not wearing the dentures, keep them moist.
To avoid the dentures from drying and losing their shape, place your dentures in a soaking solution or in water. However, the metal attachments may get affected, so make sure you ask your dentist for suggestions on the types of solutions to use. Also remember not to put your dentures in hot water, as they can warp.
