6 Rules Your Denturist Wants You to Follow

Losing your teeth can result in harmful effects on your oral health as well as your overall health. Fortunately, dentures can restore both your appearance and function after tooth loss. In order for dentures to function properly and serve you for years to come, proper care and routine maintenance are necessary. This includes having a good denturist to adjust your dentures when they do not fit comfortably. Denture care also involves cleaning and storing the dentures properly.

Denturists recommend the following steps to maintain your dentures.

1. Keeping Dentures Clean

   Dentures will accumulate plaque, tartar, stains, and bacteria, just like natural teeth. To safeguard your oral health and keep your dentures looking their best, clean them daily. Use a soft-bristle denture brush with liquid soap, a mild dish detergent, or a paste made specifically for cleaning dentures to remove debris and food particles.

2. Handling Dentures with Care

   Dentures can break easily. Use care when removing or inserting them into your mouth. Hold your dentures over a folded towel while cleaning them to prevent dropping. Never use toothpaste intended for use on natural teeth, harsh cleansers, or stiff brushes to clean dentures. These can cause permanent damage to the surface, resulting in premature wear. When not wearing them, keep your dentures safely stored out of reach of kids and pets.

3. Giving Your Dentures and Your Mouth a Break

   Remove your dentures when you sleep at night. This gives your mouth time to recover from the stress and the friction of wearing them all day. If you cannot remove them at night, take them out for over six hours at some point during the day. This allows your mouth to rest and your soft tissue to breathe. Soak your dentures in clean water or in a denture cleansing solution to prevent the dentures from drying out.

4. Practicing Proper Oral Care

   Wash your mouth with water when you take out your dentures. Then use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a damp washcloth to gently massage your gums and tongue. Not maintaining proper oral hygiene and failing to take care of your gums can result in sores and mouth infections, making it difficult to wear your dentures.

5. Report Changes in Fit to your Denturist

   Ill-fitting dentures may indicate the onset of gum recession. Dentures that do not fit properly can be quite uncomfortable and can cause sores. Contact your denturist when your dentures do not seem to fit properly. If you have new dentures and they make a clicking sound as you speak, you may need your denturist to adjust them.

6. Visit Your Denturist Regularly

   For proper denture maintenance, schedule annual checkups with your denturist. Regular dental visits ensure early detection and treatment of any potential sores and infections. With annual denturist appointments and proper oral care at home, your dentures can function properly and serve you well for a number of years.

People with new dentures may initially face some discomfort while chewing and talking. Try not to include hard-to-chew foods such as crispy fruits, stringy meats, candy, popcorn, nuts, seeds, crackers, etc. in your diet for the first few weeks after receiving new dentures. Hard foods put stress on your dentures and gums and amplify the risk of swelling and irritation.

Looking for an experienced denturist?

To get the best dental care at reasonable rates, visit European Dentures today. Schedule your free consultation at any of our four convenient denture clinics. We are located in Boise and Caldwell, Idaho; Ontario, Oregon; and Everett, Washington.

European Denture Center

European Denture Center provides high-quality, affordable, personalized and comfortable dentures and partials. Our dentures and implants are customized to match your needs and budget. Give us a call at (208) 584-5433 for the Idaho office, (208) 459-2253 for the Caldwell office, and (425) 689-7381 for the Washington office to schedule a free consultation.