Summary:
Similar to other oral prosthetics, neglecting denture care can cause them to lose their shine and potentially affect their functionality.
Even though your dentures are false, cleaning them regularly is important.
Interestingly, over 41 million Americans who wear the appliance consider cleaning to be brushing. Sadly, that’s not enough! You need to do more than simply brush your false teeth to maintain adequate oral health.
Keeping the same in mind, this blog closely examines the different factors in cleaning your dentures. We will cover the following topics to explain the tips and tricks of caring for your appliance:
- Dangers Associated with Dirty Dentures
- 5 Best Tips to Clean Your Dentures
- Common Denture Problems and Solutions
- Diet and Nutrition Tips for Denture Wearers
- Things Denture Wearers Must Stay Away From!
So continue reading as we learn more about these factors in the following sections.
Risks Associated with Dirty Dentures
Denture cleaning is vital for both your appearance and your overall well-being. Failure to properly clean your dentures daily can dim your smile and cause foul breath.
What’s more? It could also result in your dentures becoming discolored or stained.
This is mostly because dentures (removable) can accumulate food particles between them. Once accumulated, these food particles in your mouth provide a perfect breeding environment for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Such circumstances leave room for bacterial plaque and tartar deposits.
And that’s not all; they can cause various oral illnesses, including severe gum disease. This might even result in deterioration and loss of your natural teeth.
When Uncared for, Dentures Can Welcome A Variety of Diseases
As we age, our mouths get dryer. Saliva serves several defensive purposes under normal circumstances and is thought to be the mouth’s first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms.
While they might not be the direct cause of dry mouth, dentures will undoubtedly make it worse. What’s worse, mouth sores don’t often become obvious and unpleasant until later, making it difficult for denture users to recognize that they may have a festering oral infection.
5 Best Tips to Clean Your Dentures
#1 Clean Your Dentures At Least Two Times Daily
Cleaning your dentures is critical to ensuring their effectiveness. Like natural teeth, dentures should be cleaned at least twice daily, preferably after each meal.
You may clean your dentures as follows:
- Run clean water over your dentures, removing food residue and loose particles.
- Brush the dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Clean your dentures with the solution recommended by your dentist or prosthodontist.
- Use moderate cleaning agents like dishwashing liquid to clean your dentures.
Additionally, dentists for dentures in TX suggest cleaning your gums thoroughly alongside any remaining teeth supporting your dentures.
# 2 Handle Them Carefully
Use great care when cleaning, inserting, or removing your dentures. When washing your dentures, avoid breaking or distorting the plastic or clasps.
Additionally, you can use a folded towel in the sink or basin of water. These precautions make a gentle landing for the dentures if they fall when cleaning. Dentures can last a long time if they are properly cared for.
#3 Avoid Wearing Your Dentures to Bed
Dentures are extremely durable but require time away from the regular grind. In addition, your mouth too needs a vacation from wearing dentures. You should remove your dentures before sleeping to allow tissues in your mouth to heal.
Clean your dentures and soak them overnight in a professional cleanser to avoid bacterial growth. The overnight bath also keeps the dentures from distorting, allowing them to retain their form.
#4 Schedule Routine Dental Checkups
The best dentist in Garland, TX, will tell you how frequently you should get your dentures adequately checked and cleaned. They also guarantee that your dentures fit correctly, preventing slippage and pain.
Additionally, you should always look out for your appliance during crucial stages. If your dentures become loose, visit your dentist as soon as possible. Loose dentures can lead to discomfort, blisters, and infection.
#5 Take Care of Your Overall Oral Health
Take good care of your gums to ensure they fit correctly. Even if you no longer have natural teeth, you should continue brushing your gums, the roof of your mouth, and tongue to eliminate germs and plaque. If you still have natural teeth, clean and floss them daily.
Common Denture Problems and Solutions
Dentures are vital in many people’s lives, but they can also cause complications.
Here are some frequent denture issues and solutions:
Loose Dentures
If your dentures are loose, you should see your dentist immediately. They might make adjustments or refinements to your dentures to improve their fit. In the interim, use glue to hold them in place.
Stained Dentures
Stained dentures are not just ugly; they can also indicate poor dental care. Brush your dentures every day with mild soap and water. You may also soak them overnight in a denture-cleaning solution to help remove tough stains.
Bad Breath
Food particles and germs caught in your dentures’ grooves frequently cause bad breath. Clean your dentures after each meal, and wash your tongue regularly to prevent bad breath.
Diet and Nutrition Tips for Denture Wearers
Once you opt for dentures, you must take additional care of your mouth and teeth.
Here are some dietary and nutrition suggestions for denture wearers:
- Consume soft fruits and vegetables, cooked meats, and other readily digestible meals. Avoid crunchy, complex, or sticky meals, which might damage dentures and make chewing difficult.
- Drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and keep your mouth fresh. Avoid sugary beverages and liquids containing acidic fruits, such as citrus juices. These can cause tooth decay and harm dentures.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush softly across your mouth’s gums, tongue, and roof to eliminate plaque and bacteria. You may also use mild toothpaste made particularly for persons who wear dentures.
- Schedule frequent dental examinations so that your dentist can assess the fit of your dentures and make any necessary changes. They can also identify early indicators of gum disease or other oral health issues.
Things Denture Wearers Must Stay Away From!
Being a denture wearer, you must abide by a thumb rule suggested by your Garland, Texas dentist. It primarily includes:
- Abrasive cleaning materials: Avoid using stiff-bristled brushes, powerful cleaners, and harsh toothpaste since they are too abrasive and can harm dentures.
- Whitening toothpaste: This type frequently contains peroxide, which does nothing to alter the color of denture teeth.
- Products with bleach: Bleach-containing items should be avoided since they might damage and affect the color of your dentures. Do not soak dentures with metal attachments in chlorine solutions, as this will tarnish the metal and cause it to wear off.
- Hot water: Do not immerse your dentures in hot or boiling water. This will keep them from becoming twisted out of shape.
Takeaway
- Denture cleaning is vital for both your appearance and your overall well-being.
- They are extremely durable but require time away from the regular grind.
- Consume soft fruits and vegetables, cooked meats, and other readily digestible meals.
- Still confused about the possibilities of dentures? Visit North Texas Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to learn more today!
