How to Properly Take Care of Your Dentures; Tips from Edison Park Dentist

If you are someone who wears dentures, it’s important to make sure that they are properly taken care of. Not only will this help protect your investment, it will also help you maintain your oral health. After all, if your dentures break, you will have to buy new ones or repair them, which is an extra cost that can easily be avoided. Similarly, with proper care, you’ll keep the dentures clear of bacteria and other contaminants that may affect your gums or surrounding teeth. In this article, we’re going to cover some basic denture care procedures and best practices.

General Tips

First, it’s important to handle your dentures with care. If you accidently drop them, it would likely damage them, and you would have to pay for repairs or a replacement. When it comes to hygiene, you should brush and rinse the dentures on a daily basis. However, do not use toothpaste. Many toothpastes are too abrasive, and they can leave microscopic scratches on the surface. It’s recommended that you use your brush daily to keep the dentures in top shape, and stain-free. The brush should have soft bristles, and it should be specifically designed to clean dentures. Make sure that you don’t use hard bristles, and remember to be gentle during the brushing process.

You will also be able to purchase over-the-counter denture cleaner. There are also ultrasonic cleaners available on the market, where you submerge the dentures in a small container that has a cleaning solution in it. Ultrasound is then used to vibrate any deposits off the dentures. The final thing to note here is that you should never use bleach to clean the dentures.

Denture Repairs and Adjustment

After you have received your dentures, you will have follow-up appointments where the dentist will make any necessary adjustments. If you are having issues early on with your dentures, it is very important that you do not try to adjust the dentures yourself by bending the metal attachments or clasps, for example. This will weaken the structure of the denture. More often than not, DIY repair kits lead to permanent damage, and over-the-counter adhesive solutions often contain harmful chemicals. As such, if you have any issues (such as soreness or irritation from wearing the dentures), or if the dentures chip, crack, or break, you should contact your dentist to schedule an appointment for any necessary repairs or adjustments.

Caring for Your Mouth and Gums

Whether you have full or partial dentures, it is still highly recommended that you brush your palate, tongue, and gums with a soft-bristled brush before wearing your dentures in the morning. This will help prevent plaque and stimulate circulation. If you have any remaining teeth that the dentures are attached to, you’ll want to pay special attention to those areas when cleaning them. Plaque is a big issue here, because it can start to form under the clasps connected to the teeth and lead to tooth decay. If you have partial dentures, make sure to remove them before brushing. You can also use lukewarm saltwater for a more thorough cleaning of the gums.

Having Issues with Your Dentures in Edison Park?

If your dentures are currently causing you problems, you should schedule an appointment with an Edison Park dentist in order to figure out exactly what is going wrong. The issue may stem from misalignment, or the dentures may be broken in some way. Regardless of the issue, we are here to help. For any issues with your dentures in Edison Park, contact us today.