When you lose a tooth – for whatever reason – most often, you’re going to want to get it replaced with an artificial or ‘false’ tooth, otherwise you might start to notice other problems arise, like your other teeth shifting around, or something worse, like a gum infection.
Just like real teeth, how you take care of your dentures is important, as poor dental health can lead to bigger issues down the road.
While there are different types of dentures, the main differences are in dentures that are fixed (or implanted) or removable. In this post, we’re going to cover everything you need to know to look after your dentures and keep them, and your mouth, healthy and happy.
Denture Care Do’s and Don’ts
Just like real teeth, you need to take care of your dentures on a daily basis, as plaque and tartar can begin to build up around the dentures. Additionally, not taking care of your dentures can lead to serious oral health problems which can be costly and painful down the road.
For removable, partial, or complete dentures (dentures that you can take out), here’s what you need to know to keep your dentures looking and feeling their best.
- Clean your dentures after eating – after every meal, it’s advised to carefully rinse the dentures to remove any food particles and debris. Take care here and perhaps have a soft towel nearby to place the dentures on out of the sink;
- Clean your mouth after removing dentures – use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean any natural teeth, tongue, cheeks, roof of your mouth, and any denture adhesive, if using, from the gums and mouth;
- Brush your dentures daily – it’s recommended that you brush dentures daily to remove any plaque, tartar, or food deposits. Be sure to use a non-abrasive denture cleaner so as not to damage the dentures. If you use denture adhesive, be sure to clean the areas of the dentures that meet the gums to remove any left-over adhesive there. Do not use denture cleaner in your mouth, directly;
- Soak dentures overnight – most dentures need to soak overnight to retain their shape in either water or a mild denture solution. Your denture specialist will be able to guide you through what you need;
- Rinse dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth – if using a denture-soaking solution, make sure to rinse the dentures thoroughly first before putting them back in your mouth, as these solutions can contain harmful chemicals;
- Schedule regular checkups – as with any oral health matter, it’s recommended to schedule regular oral health checkups with a dentist or denture specialist to ensure that your gums, teeth (real or artificial), and mouth are remaining healthy as these specialists know the warning signs and can prevent costly and uncomfortable oral health problems before they arise;
How to care for fixed dentures
For dentures that are fixed or implanted into the mouth, you’re going to want to take care of these teeth like you would any other tooth except that it must be treated with more care, as artificial teeth are NOT as strong as regular teeth.
Be sure to floss and brush your dental implants like you would any other tooth, and just like the tips above, the same things apply: avoid harsh cleaning materials and products that might weaken the tooth, and remember, schedule regular visits with your denturist to keep your oral health in good standing!
What to avoid when taking care of your dentures
Here are a few tips to remember to avoid damaging your dentures:
- Avoid hot or burning water – water that’s too hot can warp your dentures, so be sure to steer clear of trying to clean your dentures with hot or boiling water;
- Abrasive cleaning materials – avoid using any strong or abrasive cleaning materials like stiff-bristled brushes, abrasive toothpaste, or strong cleaners as these can damage the dentures and make them look subpar;
- Whitening toothpaste – similar to above, using whitening toothpaste on your dentures can damage the dentures and, in fact, the peroxide in teeth whitening products does nothing to change the color of artificial teeth, so save your money!
- Bleaching products – using bleaching products can weaken your dentures and the chlorine found in some of these products can corrode and tarnish the metal that’s used in the construction of the dentures. Be sure to consult your denture specialist for the proper products to use.
As with all oral health related matters, it’s recommended you see your denture specialist when it comes to properly taking care of your dentures. The denturists at Cook St. Denture Clinic would be more than happy to answer all your questions.
Book an appointment today and get the knowledge you need for optimum oral health!
