Taking care of your dentures is just like taking care of your teeth. It takes more than just some toothpaste and a toothbrush. You need to incorporate denture care into your daily routine and make it a habit.
Otherwise, your dentures can sicknesses
or even fall apart, causing you to spend hard-earned money repairing them. Not only does denture care help you save money and avoid illness, but it also looks better. By taking care of your dentures, nobody will be able to tell that you have them in the first place!
Yet, knowing how to take care of your dentures is different from taking care of your teeth. You can't brush them like you would with teeth, and there are more steps you need to take to make sure they're clean. It's worth it to keep them sparkling and shiny, though!
Keep reading below to learn about proper denture care and why it's important!
Wash Up After A Meal
Most people don't think about washing their mouths or brushing their teeth after a meal. Yet, if you wear dentures, you need to be on constant alert for food stuck in them. People can feel when there's something stuck in their teeth, but people who wear dentures don't have that advantage.
Instead, they need to be vigilant over their dentures. Take them out after a meal and spend a couple of minutes washing them
to clean any food that may be stuck in them. That way, you can avoid a buildup of bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to illnesses like staph infections or even pneumonia.
Luckily, you don't need to worry about your dentures rotting the same way teeth would. Stuck food would contribute to tooth decay, but dentures are made of a different material than teeth. Since they're made of either plastic or metal, they don't rot in the same way regular teeth do.
Denture Care Isn't Just About Your Dentures
To take care of your dentures, you need to take care of yourself. Mouthwash may seem like a frivolous investment, but in reality, it's an important part of maintaining healthy dental hygiene. It kills bacteria in your mouth and can help remove plaque.
You should also make efforts to clean your gums and palate. It doesn't just remove plaque buildup in dangerous areas. Cleaning your mouth can also help promote blood circulation in your mouth, which can make you healthier overall
down the line.
Making a quick mouthwash rinse and a soft brushing a part of daily routine nets you more than just health benefits. You also get the fringe benefit of having a morning ritual, which can help promote a healthier lifestyle overall.
Take Them Out When You Go To Sleep
Sleeping in your dentures is not recommend and can cause serious health risks. Before you got to bed each night, you should be sure to take them out and rinse them. While plopping them in a glass of water is better than nothing, a denture soaking solution is better.
You can make a homemade soaking solution using
some vinegar and water. However, there are also products you can purchase that are guaranteed to give your dentures maximum protection. Speak with your dentist about buying some - they know your dentures better than most people!
Get Them Fitted
There's no reason to walk around with dentures that aren't stable and comfortable. They shouldn't be so loose that you need to readjust your dentures after you speak. At the same time, they shouldn't wrap around your gums so tightly that they're uncomfortable.
Tell your dentist if something feels wrong with your dentures - it's their jobs to make sure you're comfortable. They know how important it is that you feel like your dentures are a part of your mouth.
If they don't feel comfortable, it's likely that you will decide to stop wearing them. You may also fidget with them too much, which can lead to more wear and tear down the line. So get them fitted
, and wear them proudly!
Avoid Harmful Substances
You may be used to a specific kind of toothbrush when brushing your teeth. You could also have a preferred brand of toothpaste, or even enjoy using hot water to brush your teeth with. Unfortunately, you can't use many of those things to clean our dentures.
You should avoid using stiff-bristle toothbrushes. They can scratch the plastic your dentures are made of if they're made of plastic. If they're made of metal, you risk scratching away the coatings on them.
Whitening toothpaste can have the same effect - it can dissolve any coatings you may have on them. It can also promote quicker decay rates if you use metal denture. Hot water can also affect the positioning and sizing of your dentures.
Also, you should avoid using bleach at all costs. Not only can it severely degrade the quality of your dentures, but you also risk absorbing bleach through your gums. It can lead to severe health effects later that can result in surgery, or worse.
Check Up On Your Dentures
Just like how people usually go to a dentist
to check on their teeth, you should go to a dentist to check on your dentures. Your dentist will be able to tell if something is wrong before you may ever notice it. They will also be able to inspect your mouth for buildups of bacteria or anything else.
By continuing to regularly see a dentist, you can prevent serious health issues. You can benefit from an expert's advice on how to properly care for your dentures. You also won't need to worry about having to get any cavities filled when you go!
Care For Your Dentures Like Your Teeth
Denture care is a lot like regular dental care. All it takes is a bit of work to ensure your smile shines brightly whenever you smile. Regularly soaking your dentures and cleaning them after a meal will help them retain their shape and color.
It also helps to routinely see a dentist, so they can ensure your dentures are in good shape. And for that, you can just contact us. We're here to help you get the best possible dental hygiene you can, and will work with you to ensure your dentures are safe and clean!
