Dentures are replacements for missing teeth. They help improve the way you look and more importantly, they support your facial muscles. They can also aid you to chew, eat and speak more comfortably.
Partial or full dentures require proper care to keep them clean and hygienic for a healthy mouth. It may lengthen their lifespan, too. Here’s how you properly do it:
- Clean your dentures after every meal.
After every meal, always make it a point to rinse your dentures to remove any food particles. Take good care of them as you clean them. Avoid bending them too much to avoid damages. Be mindful of the plastic and clasps as well. Whether you are at home, outside, in a senior housing, or anywhere else, this is a must.
- Brush your dentures properly.
Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed as well. Brushing helps prevent permanent stains on the dentures. Since these are more delicate, you have to clean them using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a non abrasive cleaner to remove food deposits and other particles. Never use a stiff-bristled brush.
You should also avoid using strong cleaners and toothpaste as they can deteriorate their quality and cause discoloration to your dentures. Be sure to remove any remaining adhesive if you are using one. Hold them properly to avoid dropping them, which might cause breakage.
- Thoroughly clean your mouth as you clean your dentures.
The purpose of cleaning your dentures is defeated if you fail to clean your mouth. Thoroughly brush your teeth, cheeks, gums, and tongue for good hygiene.
- Soak your dentures in water or denture solution.
Dentures must be kept damp to keep their shape and to avoid drying out. You can put these in a glass of denture solution; water will do, too. Do not use hot or boiling water in soaking these. You can visit your dentist for proper instructions in storing your dentures.
- Thoroughly wash your dentures before wearing them again.
If you decide to use a denture-soaking solution, rinse them properly before putting them back in your mouth. The chemicals might react badly on your mouth and may cause unwanted injuries when swallowed.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
You have to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned by your dentist regularly. Your dentist can also ensure that the dentures still fit your mouth perfectly. After all, loose dentures can cause you pain and infection. You can schedule your visits to your dentist either semi-annually or annually.
- Do not attempt to fix your dentures yourself.
If your dentures chip, break, crack or loosen, do not fix them yourself. It can damage your dentures big time, and you may even end up replacing the whole set instead of doing minor repairs only.
Conclusion
Dentures are effective and helpful solutions for people who unfortunately have lost their some or all of their teeth. It might be a simple invention, but its impact on the confidence of the people wearing them is tremendous. Keep your dentures in great shape to continue enjoying the comfort that it gives.