Introduction: Embracing Denture Care for a Confident Smile
Caring for dentures is crucial for anyone who relies on them. Much like natural teeth, they require regular maintenance to remain functional and aesthetically pleasing. Many denture wearers often feel overwhelmed by the prospect of denture care, worrying about doing something wrong that could damage their dentures. This guide is designed to dispel those fears, offering detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for the care of all types of dentures. It's not just about keeping them clean; proper care is key to ensuring comfort, preventing oral health issues, and maintaining your confidence in your smile.
Types of Dentures and Their Specific Care Needs
Full Dentures: Full dentures replace an entire set of teeth and rest on your gums. They are typically made from acrylic or porcelain and need careful handling. Daily cleaning with a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive cleansers is essential. After each meal, rinse them under running water to remove food particles. At night, soak them in a special denture-cleansing solution to prevent them from drying out and losing their shape.
Partial Dentures: These are used when you still have some natural teeth remaining. They clip onto your remaining teeth with metal or plastic clasps. Like full dentures, they need to be removed and cleaned daily. Use a brush designed for dentures and a cleaning solution recommended by your dentist. Ensure you also clean the clasps where plaque and bacteria can accumulate.
Implant-Supported Dentures: These offer a more permanent solution and are anchored onto dental implants. They require the same care as natural teeth, including brushing twice daily and flossing. Special brushes and floss designed for implants can help clean hard-to-reach areas around the denture and the implants.
Temporary Dentures: Also known as immediate dentures, these are used right after tooth extraction and before permanent dentures are fitted. They protect the gums during the healing process and need gentle care. Clean them with a soft brush and avoid using strong cleansers that can irritate sensitive gums.
Fixed Bridges and Snap-on Dentures: Both of these options are fixed to dental implants. They require meticulous cleaning to prevent food particles and plaque from building up at the gum line. A non-abrasive cleaner and a soft brush should be used for daily cleaning, and flossing around the implants is crucial to prevent gum disease.
Daily Cleaning and Maintenance Routines
The longevity and appearance of your dentures depends greatly on your ability to be consistent with cleaning and maintenance. The more effort you put into being consistent with the small daily denture care habits, the longer your dentures will last and look their best.
1. Rinse After Eating: Remove and gently rinse your dentures after meals to remove food debris and other loose particles. Use warm, not hot water so as to avoid causing any damage to the materials of the dentures.
2. Brush Daily: Use a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner. Brush all surfaces gently to avoid damaging the plastic or bending attachments. Don't use regular toothpaste, as this can cause damage to your dentures. Instead, use a specialized denture cleanser that your denturist will recommend to you.
3. Clean your Mouth: Cleaning your mouth thoroughly before inserting your dentures will prevent bacteria buildup, which can prevent issues such as bad breath, or plaque buildup on your dentures.
4. Handle With Care: Be cautious when handling your dentures. Stand over a folded towel or a basin of water while handling them to avoid damage if dropped. Dentures can easily crack if they are dropped, so it is important to be cautious when you are handling them. Even a drop into the sink could crack or damage your dentures.
5. Soak Overnight: Most dentures need to remain moist in order to maintain their shape. Be sure to keep your dentures soaked in water or denture solution overnight. Consistency is very important here, because allowing your dentures to fully dry out even once could cause small cracks to begin forming, or cause the fit of your dentures to become uncomfortable due to warping.
Professional Denture Care: When to See Your Dentist
Regular visits to your dentist are vital, and you should visit regularly to get your dentures professionally cleaned, as well as to ensure there is no damage to your dentures that has gone unnoticed. Routine scheduled appointment should be the norm, and if you happen to notice anything that is irritating you about your dentures such as discomfort, pain, or difficulties with denture stability, book an appointment with your denturist right away.
Conclusion
Your dentures can last you a very long time if you care for the properly. There is no reason that you should not be able to get 20 years out of your dentures with proper care, and we hope that this guide will help you to achieve that. Remember that consistency in these small daily habits is crucial, as it does not take much to cause damage to your dentures. You can however, build these daily maintenance habits to ensure that does not happen and that your dentures look and feel as great as they did the day you got them.