Dentures are a practical and time-honored way to address tooth loss; they have helped generations of patients to enjoy more confident smiles and a more balanced diet. Still, if you want your prosthetic teeth to serve you well, you have to take good care of them. How can you do that? Here are some practical tips:
Keep Up with Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene habits will prevent bacteria and odors from collecting on your prosthetic. You should:
- Thoroughly clean your denture at least once a day. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaning products. Instead, use only products that are approved for use with dentures.
- Keep your mouth clean. If you have any remaining natural teeth, you should be sure to brush and floss regularly. Using a soft brush to clean your gums as well.
- Regularly soak your denture. Soaking your prosthetic in a cleansing solution can give it a deep, refreshing clean.
- Remove your denture at night. You should not sleep while wearing your denture. Remove it each night so both it and your oral tissues can breathe.
Be Careful Not to Damage Your Dentures
Dentures can be somewhat fragile, so you should take measures to reduce the risk that they will break:
- Remove your denture carefully. Take your dentures out when you are standing over a folded towel or a sink full of water. They should have a soft landing if you accidentally drop them.
- Do not clean your dentures with hot water. High temperatures could warp your dentures. Use milder temperatures when you are cleaning them.
- Eat with caution. Dentures can enable you to eat a wide variety of foods, but you still need to eat carefully. For example, you should not bite on extremely hard, sticky, or chewy foods. You should also try to distribute food evenly on both sides of your mouth.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
You should make it a habit to visit your dentist twice a year. There are a few reasons for this:
- Your dentist will monitor your oral health. A healthy mouth is better able to support dentures.
- You can get your dentures repaired or relined if necessary. Periodically, you might need to get your dentures relined (adjusted) so they continue to fit comfortably on your gums.
- You will receive personalized advice. Your dental team can give you pointers on how to help your denture live up to its potential.
Your dentures could provide you with years of improved dental function! Use the above tips to help them serve you well for as long as possible.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Erick Anderson has decades of experience in dentistry. He proudly provides both dentures and denture maintenance services to the Colorado Springs community. If you have questions about how to care for your prosthetic teeth, he and our team would be happy to speak with you. Get in touch with our office at 719-593-0988.