Essential Tips for New Denture Care
Taking care of your dentures is not only important for their health but also your overall oral health. A daily routine will minimize odors and stains, and help your dentures last longer.
Here are some tips for proper care:
Handle with Care
Dentures are fragile, and the turn-around for a major repair can sometimes be a few days. Be careful!
When you have to remove your dentures for a cleaning, stand over a folded towel or a sink filled with water. Both of these methods will soften the blow should you drop your dentures and prevent breaking.
Brush Daily
Just like with natural teeth, dentures need daily cleaning. While you can give them a rinse after meals, they need a proper brushing at least once a day.
Be sure not to use a regular toothpaste, as they can be too abrasive and cause scratches where food and bacteria can get caught. Use a soft-bristled brush and a cleaner formulated for dentures.
Soak Overnight
Dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. If you need to remove your dentures overnight, be sure to place them in water or a denture solution to prevent them drying out. But don’t use hot water! That can cause warping.
Avoid solutions if your dentures have wire or other metal attachments. It could cause the metal to tarnish. If yours don’t have metal and you opt for a denture-soaking solution, give them a thorough rinse in the morning. The chemicals used in the solution could cause discomfort and vomiting if swallowed.
Clean Your Mouth Thoroughly after Removal
Taking care of your dentures is important, but so is taking care of your mouth! Proper oral care prevents gum disease and further loss of natural teeth.
To give your mouth a good cleaning, first remove any dental adhesive, if you use it. This can be done by swishing with warm water or mouthwash. Then, use a soft bristled brush to clean your natural teeth, and a brush or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger to clean your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth (palate). Do this after removing dentures and before putting them in each morning.
Keep up on Dental Visits
Dentures take some getting used to, and sometimes need adjustments for the right fit. Ill-fitting dentures can cause sore spots on your gums and make it hard to chew food correctly. They need to be checked regularly to make sure they are working for you. Your dentist can address problems with fit or problems with your existing natural teeth and gums.
And let’s not forget a professional cleaning to keep your dentures pearly white!
Leave the Repairs to the Professionals
You should never try to repair your dentures yourself. When your dentist makes repairs, he is using materials made specifically for dentures that are only available to dentists.
While you may feel desperate to get your dentures fixed quick, the materials used in an over-the-counter kit could contain chemicals that will end up actually damaging them further. which could mean more time without your dentures. Be patient, and make an appointment with your dentist.
Affordable Dentures in Rockville, MD & Beyond
At Rockville Dental Arts, we know how important teeth are for eating, speaking, and self-confidence. That’s why we offer affordable partial and full dentures in fixed and snap-on options. Need a repair? Our in-house denture lab can assess and repair the damage in as little as an hour! Book a consultation today to get started!
Call our Office at 301-424-2030 Today!
Read the Rockville Dental Arts blog here. And Other Dental Services Here.