March 29, 2024

Dentures are a popular and cost-effective cosmetic dentistry treatment. They are a simple yet effective way of adding a smile back to those that have lost their teeth because of unfortunate accidents, dental diseases, or old age.

Whether you have partial dentures to fill gaps left by missing teeth or have opted for a full set of dentures to improve the way you smile, eat, drink and talk, you need to maintain them well. To maximize the potential of these dentures, and improve your overall oral health, you need to know certain things about them. Here are five crucial things:

1. Denture Hygiene is Crucial

 

Although dentures aren’t natural teeth, they will need proper and regular cleaning to maintain your oral health and the appearance of the dentures themselves. Hygiene is incredibly crucial when it comes to dentures. You need to brush these dentures thoroughly at least a couple of times each day. You can do that after each meal as well. You would have to get special toothbrushes for cleaning dentures.

Using regular toothbrushes can damage them, or they may not clean them properly. Also, even the best dentures can get stained very easily, in case you consume beverages & foods that contain artificial colorants, and it will affect their sparkle. It’s best just to avoid these food items.

2. You need to remove dentures When Not in Use

The most significant advantage of modern dentures is that you can remove and wear them as per your need. But some people may forget to remove them or neglect doing so. Leaving dentures in your mouth for extended periods can cause receding gums and bad breath. Your gums too need to relax for some time, so remove your dentures at night before getting to bed. Using a soft-bristled brush, gently massage your tongue and gums. Simply soak your dentures in a glassful of water at night to keep them properly-lubricated.

3. Dentures Can Be Uncomfortable Sometimes

It is quite natural to feel a certain amount of discomfort when you first start using dentures. The alien feeling in your mouth is something you should expect, and uneasiness and mouth sores may also occur sometimes. Also, those who wear dentures might salivate more than usual, even without any food around them. But this discomfort is mostly temporary, and you may find some improvement once the dentures have settled in correctly into your mouth’s soft tissues.

4. Using Dentures Need Some Practice

Eating and talking are the two significant privileges you enjoy when you opt for dentures. But it takes some practice to get used to them. You might feel that your dentures are moving a bit when chewing food. So, you need to try to eat in different ways to determine which is the most comfortable. Usually, when you chew with your pre-molars and molars, that’s the most suitable. When you are speaking you will find that certain words come out sounding different. Your tongue would have to relearn many things when you start to wear dentures, and you can overcome these issues with some speech practice.

5. Dentures Need Timely Repairs &Replacements

 

Do not attempt to reline, adjust, or repair your dentures on your own at home; this might only make things worse. It’s best to take the dentures to your dentist. These dental prosthetics last for up to 7 years, depending on how well you have maintained and used them. Eventually, you would need to replace them.

Having this information about dentures will help you learn how to use them better and maintain them correctly. You can also consult your dentist for more tips on the same.