Dentures are probably the most popular solution to replace missing, loose and or damaged teeth. However, maintaining and caring for your dentures is vital to preserving your oral health. It is just as important as cleaning and caring for your natural teeth to prevent oral problems. Proper denture maintenance allows you to enjoy your new teeth in comfort and for a long time. You also need to keep up with the regular dental checkups to maintain and preserve your oral health.
Wondering how to care for your dentures properly? What steps do you need to take? Here is a complete guide to denture care and maintenance with proven tips and tricks to keep them, and you, in tip- top condition. Read further to learn.
Types of Removable Dentures more!
Complete Dentures
This type of denture will replace all your teeth. Complete Dentures rest on top of your gums. Immediate dentures are placed the same day the teeth are removed, so you are never left without teeth. They may have a soft gum conditioner or reline. Dentures should be brushed daily with an extra soft toothbrush and a denture specific toothpaste. They should be disinfected with a soak cleanser in an Ultrasonic cleaner once a day.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are suitable for people who still have some healthy teeth but have to replace a few missing teeth.
The teeth are attached to a pink-colored base with a metal framework that connects to the remaining natural teeth. New technology is replacing the metal with more natural looking gum and or tooth colored options. While they differ from complete dentures, they still must be brushed to remove plaque and stains. In addition, they should be disinfected with a soak cleanser in an Ultrasonic cleaner to properly clean them.
Implant-Supported Snap-In Overdentures
Implant-supported overdentures resemble conventional dentures, but they are very different. They “snap on” to dental implants instead of lying on top of the gums. People prefer these types of dentures because they don’t move, they provide much greater biting forces for better chewing, they’re smaller and best of all, they feel more natural.
Daily Care For All of These 3 Types of Dentures
Removing and Rinsing Dentures After Meals
Run water over your dentures to eliminate food, adhesive and biofilm. Cleanadent Wipes are easy and convenient. Dentures might break or get damaged if you drop them in the sink. We recommend insulating the hard sink with paper towels. These towels can be discarded in the trash. Otherwise, over time leftover adhesive can clog your drains.
Daily Cleaning Methods
You need to remove and clean your dentures daily. Brush your dentures and your gums with a non-abrasive denture specific paste and an extra- soft bristled denture brush to remove plaque, food, and other deposits. If you opt for denture adhesive, be sure to clean the grooves that fit on your gums to remove any remaining adhesive. The dentures should be soaked in a denture cleanser daily, preferably in an ultrasonic cleaner.
Oral Hygiene for Denture Wearers
Don’t forget your mouth when cleaning dentures. Use an extra- soft bristled toothbrush to clean your tongue, palate, cheeks, and, if you have any, natural teeth. If you have used adhesive to secure your dentures, remove any remaining adhesive from your gums before fixing your dentures back into your mouth. Cleanadent Paste is the only toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association for both dentures and in the mouth.
Snap-In Overdentures
If you have a Snap- In Overdenture, do not use any regular toothpaste that contains fluoride as it may affect the implant. Cleanadent Paste is the only toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association for implants, dentures and in the mouth.
Further, do not use any tablet or powder that fizzes because it may affect the O rings. Daily use of Liquid Crystal in an Ultrasonic Cleaner for up to 15 minutes will not affect the O rings.
Professional Denture Care
Regular Dental Checkups
Just like your natural teeth, dentures can also be subjected to plaque build up that needs professional cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate the condition of your dentures to recommend how to care for your dentures.
The dentist will also help you detect oral health problems that may develop due to poor oral hygiene. Note that the soft and hard tissues in your mouth tend to change. These shifts can affect your dentures and change your bite. Therefore, regular dental checkups are critical for maintaining good oral hygiene and other health conditions, as well as an oral cancer exam.
Professional Denture Cleaning
Consulting a skilled, experienced, and trained professional is important. They provide professional denture cleaning that eliminates the risk of gum diseases and tooth decay and keeps all oral issues at bay. Also, dentists help you increase the lifespan of your dentures so that you don't have to invest in them again in a few years. So, visit the dentist once every 6 months to keep your dentures in good condition.
Denture Adjustments and Relines
Dentures should fit correctly, and you should be comfortable with them. Dentures might not always fit as well because the tissues gradually change over time. You might experience uncomfortable places, difficulty chewing, or feel your dentures slip out of your mouth while speaking.
As a result, you may need to reline, adjust, or replace them. Over the life of your denture, these occasional adjustments will fix long-term discomfort, wear and tear, improper fit, and cosmetic concerns. Regular consultation is critical so your dentist can suggest needed relines or adjustments. Therefore, once you get dentures, you must keep up with the dentist appointments.
Common Denture Issues
Some of the common denture problems are as follows.
Cracks or Breaks
Dentures that are old, loose, move around too much, or are dropped, especially when cleaning, can lead to breaks or cracks. Also, dentures that are too tight can break or crack due to the great pressure.
Fractures
Denture fractures can occur due to poor fit, faults in denture fabrication, lack of a balanced occlusion, and low resistance. Over time, fractures can also be a result of flexural impact or fatigue, especially if you grind your teeth or if they oppose natural teeth.
Worn Teeth
Ill-fitted dentures can wear out your teeth. It can also impact the health of your jawbone and gum, eventually leading to worn teeth.
Speaking or Chewing Difficulty
It takes time to learn how to live with dentures. Also, dentures can fall out of position since there is not much bone or gum underneath to resist movement. Chewing meals with new dentures can take up to 5 times longer.
Dogs
Keep your dentures away from dogs. They love them and will chew them up.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you have any problems with your dentures, you must seek professional help as soon as possible, before they can cause further problems in your mouth, even systemic infections.
Your dentures may get chips, breaks, or cracks that need immediate replacement. Or you might be unable to efficiently clean your dentures, which requires professional cleaning. Hence, if you are facing any problem regarding oral health or dentures, you need to visit the dentist.
Tips for New Denture Wearers
Gradually Introducing New Foods
Start with juices and soft food after getting dentures. When you eat solid food, take small portions. Always chew slowly and bite on both sides to divide the pressure. Drink with your meals to make chewing easier for you. Lastly, opt for soft and easier-to-eat foods until you get used to the dentures.
Practicing Speech and Facial Expressions
Speaking in front of the mirror is the best way to help denture wearers to see their mouth and tongue movements. This will help you see what problems you are facing and how you can deal with them. You can also practice reading out loud to learn to say common words and sentences. This will also give you an idea of how fast you can speak.
Coping with Initial Discomfort
Once you get dentures, you might experience pain and discomfort for some time. You can apply aloe vera gel to soothe your gums. Pain relievers can also help you deal with it. Also, remove your dentures before you sleep to prevent pain.
Dr. Lorin Berland's Denture Care Products
Dreading the pain, discomfort, or any other issue, you might have to experience because of dentures? Don’t fret! Here are some of Dr. Lorin Berland's Dental Solutions to improve your denture experience.
Ultrasonic Cleaner
This device helps you deep clean your dentures with ease and comfort. It will mechanically cleanse your dentures with ultrasonic waves. It has three timer settings of 5, 10, or 15 minutes for ease of use. The best part is that it has a deeper receptacle that fits both arches.
Adhesadent Denture Adhesive
Adhesadent provides a strong, long-lasting hold while calming, moisturizing, and refreshing your mouth.
Adhesadent uses a new zinc free copolymer to improve retention. It also has Aloe Vera, Vitamins A, D, and E, and other moisturizing ingredients. It offers a strong, long-lasting hold while moisturizing and soothing your gums. The revolutionary Adhesadent is hypoallergenic and is the 1st Denture Adhesive to earn the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, keeping you at ease that it is absolutely safe to use.
Cleanadent Paste
Dental Prosthetic & Mouth Cleansing Paste
- Moisturizes, Refreshes & Soothes Gums
- Ultra-Low Abrasive, Safely Cleans Prosthetics
- Melts Adhesive Away from Denture & Mouth
- Removes Stains, Odor, Debris, Food & Plaque
- Rich in Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil & Vitamins A, D & E
- The Only Dental Prosthetic & Mouth Toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance!
Cleanadent Denture & Gum Wipes
Moisturizing Cleansing Wipes
- The Only Moist Wipes for Cleaning Prosthetics & Gums
- Perfect for Restaurants, The Office, The Car or Anywhere Else
- Individually Packaged For Portable Hygiene
- Cleans, Soothes & Moisturizes with Vitamins, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil & Tea Tree Oil
- Great at Removing Denture Adhesive, Stains, Food & Odor!
Denture & Mouth Toothbrush
This dual-sided toothbrush has extra- soft bristles especially designed for gums, dentures, implants, and dentures. It has an ergonomic grip to fit perfectly in your hands for comfort and stability. You don’t have to be toothless to love the Dr. B Toothbrush!
Liquid Crystal Soak Cleanser
This disinfecting dental appliance cleaner is ideal for denture wearers struggling to clean their dentures. They can help kill Strep, Candida, Staph, E. Coli and other pathogens to help prevent Thrush, Stomatitis, Pneumonia, and Cheilitis, Digestive and Respiratory Diseases. Please note that it is completely safe and best for snap-in dentures with O-rings.
Dr. B Denture Kit
If you want a complete dental solution, the Dr. B Denture Kit is ideal. It has everything a person wearing dentures needs for health, hygiene, and comfort.
The set includes Liquid Crystal Soak Cleanser, an Ultrasonic Cleaner, a Dr. B Denture and Mouth Toothbrush, Adhesadent Denture Adhesive, Cleanadent Paste, and Cleanadent Denture and Gum Wipes.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, denture care is critical for your dentures' longevity and your continued good oral health.
So, if you have dentures, start caring for them with Dr. B Dental Solutions. Because if you take care of your dentures, they’ll take care of you!
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