Nearly 43 million Americans wear dentures to replace one tooth, a few, or all of their natural teeth. Today’s dentures are lighter, more durable, and more natural-looking than ever, and best of all, they’re really easy to care for.
At Park Place Smiles, Minal Patel, DDS, helps patients regain their smiles and confidence after tooth loss with beautiful dentures custom-designed for each patient’s unique needs. If you have dentures or they’re in your future, these 10 tips can help you keep them looking and fitting great.
Dentures may not be “real” teeth, but they still need to be brushed just like natural teeth. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean every surface of your dentures to remove food particles, sticky plaque, bacteria, and stains.
You can use a mild toothpaste or a paste made specifically for dentures. You can even use mild dish soap (just rinse really well). Be sure to use your brush to remove all traces of denture adhesive, as well.
Toothpastes with abrasives like baking soda may help remove surface stains on your teeth, but denture material isn’t as hard as your tooth enamel. Using abrasive toothpastes on your dentures can leave scratches, instead, and sometimes lead to discoloration. Choose a nonabrasive toothpaste, instead.
After meals and snacks, head to the bathroom and pop your dentures out. Give them a quick rinse under tap water to get rid of food particles that can cause irritation (or be visible to others). Rinsing also reduces the risks of discoloration and bad breath. No running water? Use a squirt from a water bottle or carry handy denture wipes in your pocket or bag.
Your dentures are designed to hug the contours of your gums, and they should feel secure and comfortable. While it’s perfectly fine to gain a little more security with adhesives, if you’re relying on adhesives to hold your dentures in place, it’s time for a refitting. Large amounts of adhesives can make your dentures fit less securely, too, so if you do use adhesives, use just a small amount.
Dentures are lightweight and durable — more durable than the dentures your grandparents wore. Still, that doesn’t mean they can’t be damaged. Be careful handling dentures when wet, and keep your dentures in their container when they’re not in your mouth. Don’t squeeze your dentures when cleaning or handling them.
Dentures are made of a durable resin, and while the heat of foods won’t damage them, placing your dentures in full sun for a long period of time or keeping their case on top of a radiator or other heat source can cause them to warp or bend. Likewise, when soaking your dentures, use cool water instead of hot.
Even if your dentures feel super comfortable, you still need to take them out at night. Leaving them in can lead to breathing difficulties and choking hazards, as well as increasing the risk of sore spots. Take your dentures out, and keep them in their case while you sleep — even for naps.
Dentures should never dry out. When you slip your dentures in their case overnight, use that time for a deep-cleaning soak. Plain water is fine or you can opt for denture tablets to provide additional freshness.
Many people think they don’t need to visit the dentist if they have a full mouth of dentures. But the fact is, whether you have a partial denture or full dentures, regular dental visits are still essential for your oral health and your overall wellness, too.
Even without any teeth, you can still develop infections and problems with your gums, as well as oral cancer. Twice-yearly visits allow us to evaluate your gums, screen for cancer, and adjust your dentures so they always fit comfortably.
Dentures should never cause pain. If you have sore spots or swelling or if your dentures feel loose, it’s time to come in for an adjustment. Delaying treatment can lead to infections along with a worse fit over time. We perform simple adjustments right in the office so your dentures fit better and you feel more comfortable and confident.
Dentures improve your bite, restore your smile, and boost your confidence, too. If you need dentures or if your current dentures need to be readjusted or replaced, our team can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Park Place Smiles in Glendora, California, today.
