If you have missing teeth, sore and swollen gums or chronic toothache which means that your tooth needs to be removed, you might find that dentures offers you the pain-free, long term solution you’ve been looking for.
Dentures, or false teeth, are custom made to fit your mouth, and depending on whether you have large gaps or a single missing tooth, they can be clipped into place using the surrounding teeth as a base, or full dentures are placed over your gums to look and feel like your real teeth.
Because dentures aren’t fixed in place, they can be removed and thus need some extra care to maintain them so that they continue to function correctly and provide aesthetic value. Read on to find out more about proper denture care and learn some important maintenance tips.
Cleaning your dentures
Dentures still need to be regularly cleaned to keep them hygienic and to remove any build-up food and to reduce staining. It’s also important to remove any odours or bacteria which could lead to infections.
Because you can wear dentures while you eat and drink, you don’t have to give up your favourite foods, but you will notice the stains are more noticeable if you don’t clean them at least twice daily.
You can use a specific denture brush to ensure you give them a thorough clean, but remember to brush gently so that you don’t damage any of the fixings. We also would recommend that you never immerse your dentures in hot water, as this can alter the shape and means they will no longer fit comfortably in your mouth.
Removal at night
When you’re not wearing your dentures it’s important to keep them safe and not let them dry out. You can soak them in a cleanser to help remove any stains and stop them from drying, because if they dry out completely, the acrylic can become brittle and this can lead to cracks and your dentures no longer fitting comfortably in your mouth.
It’s also important to remove them at night to give your gums a chance to recover and keep your mouth healthy. If you continue to wear them at night, they can put unnecessary pressure on your gums, which eventually can lead to a decrease in jaw bone volume and density.
Repairing damaged dentures
If your dentures become loose, chipped or show signs of cracking from drying out, don’t try to repair them yourself as they are delicate and very easily damaged. Talk to your dentist instead who can advise you on how to make them fit comfortably again. If they can’t be repaired they may have to be replaced entirely, so it pays to be extra careful when handling or cleaning your dentures.
If you’re finding your dentures to be a hassle, why not consider one of the most popular alternatives – dental implants? These look and feel like real teeth, and because they are fixed in place in your mouth they offer a long term solution without the fuss of dentures. They’re suitable for single gaps in your smile or for larger spaces where you might be missing multiple teeth.
Interested in finding out more? Check out our website for more information on dental implants, or give us a call to talk through this treatment and how it could benefit you.
