If you’ve been missing many of your teeth for a long time, getting dentures can represent a massive improvement in how you look and feel. However, as with any large lifestyle shift, it’ll take some time for you to adjust to your prosthetic.
A big part of that is learning how to care effectively for your dentures. This will become second-nature after a while, but at first, it’s natural to become a little bit overwhelmed by what it will take to keep your prosthetic in good condition. Here’s what you should know to make that process much easier.
Take Your Dentures Out Overnight
One of the most common mistakes that people make when they first get their dentures is that they leave them in while they’re sleeping. Dentures are designed to adhere to your gums entirely via suction, which puts a lot of pressure on the soft tissues of your mouth. It’s also possible for bacteria to creep under the prosthetic, contributing to gum disease. For these reasons, dentists strongly recommend taking your dentures out to soak in an antibacterial solution each night while you sleep.
Rinse and Brush Your Dentures
In a similar vein, eating with your dentures contributes to the buildup of plaque and bacteria along your prosthetic; just like with your natural teeth, it’s important to brush your prosthetic after meals in order to prevent this issue.
When you do so, you should be sure to brush your teeth without any toothpaste. This is because toothpaste designed for the teeth contains mild abrasives that can scratch up your prosthetic. Instead, clean your dentures with a mild dish soap or specialized denture cleaner.
See Your Dentist Often
Over time, it’s common for the fit of your prosthetic to get a bit worse. This often happens due to a combination of wear and bone reabsorption in the jaw. Ill-fitting dentures are more likely to contribute to denture sores and to impair your ability to chew effectively.
Your dentist will be able to look for signs that your dentures fit poorly and can reline them if need be. For that reason, it’s important to make regular preventive appointments if you want to get the most out of your prosthetic.
About Our Practice
At Patriot Dental, there’s nothing we love more than being able to help our patients look and feel their best through the power of excellent dentistry. We know that every single smile is different, which is why we make it a point to get to know every patient that we work with as an individual so that we can offer conservative, beautiful solutions to their oral health problems.
If you have any questions about dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (850) 477-1120.