With about 178 million Americans struggling with tooth loss, a statistic reported by the American College of Prosthodontists, it’s safe to say that missing teeth are extremely common. With the negative effects on your bite, oral health, speech, and smile, it’s not hard to see why modern dentures are so popular, especially since they are completely tailored to each patient. Keeping them pristine requires some maintenance, however. To learn a few tips for caring for dentures, keep reading!
#1. Exercise Caution with Hard and Sticky Foods
It’s true; dentures will strengthen your bite, especially after struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss over the last few months or years. It is important to remember that sticky and hard foods can potentially damage your dentures. For example, while gooey caramel can tug on your restorations, pulling them out of place, peanut brittle and other tough foods can result in chips or cracks. So, exercise caution or avoid them altogether.
#2. Clean Your Dentures and Your Mouth
When it comes time to clean your dentures, make sure to use the right tools, like a soft-bristled toothbrush. After removing the plaque and food particles, the last thing you want to do is put them back in your mouth without cleaning your teeth and gums. That’s like taking a shower and putting on dirty clothes! Instead, clean your dentures and your teeth thoroughly before going on with the rest of your day.
#3. Handle Your Dentures Carefully
Any time you take your dentures out of your mouth, it’s crucial that you handle them with care. If you don’t, you run the risk of them potentially falling to the floor, breaking in the process. To prevent that from happening, place them in a washcloth or clean them over a sink full of water. Both of these measures will help cushion their fall if you accidentally lose your grip on them.
#4. Soak Your Dentures Overnight
Many patients aren’t confident without their dentures, leading to them wearing them at night. While this isn’t a dangerous habit, it does mean you’re missing out on an opportunity to give your gums a rest and deep clean your dentures. That’s why dentists recommend soaking them in a denture-friendly cleaner overnight – you’ll have fresh dentures by the morning!
#5. Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Whether you have a few of your natural teeth left or none at all, your six-month dental checkups and cleanings are still important. These routine visits catch dental problems, like gum disease, early on while simultaneously screening for non-dental issues, including oral cancer. So, don’t fall into the habit of skipping your biannual visits!
Dentures can help restore your smile, bite, and speech, which is why you want them to last for as long as possible. The above tips will help you do just that!
About the Practice
Our team at Atrium Family Dental is proud to help patients who are struggling with tooth loss enjoy a healthy, happy, and strong smile once-more. Our three highly experienced dentists not only offer custom-made dentures, but they will also help you keep them in pristine condition throughout the years with helpful tips and best practices. If you have a question about caring for your dentures or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team via our website or by phone at (815) 462-9990.