Care tips for dentures

Dentures, like other orthodontic appliances, require proper care and maintenance to enhance their lifespan. Some care and maintenance tips include:

Clean and brush dentures 

After eating, you should remove and rinse your dentures. You should place them under running water, which removes any food particles lodged in the dentures.

You should also brush your dentures daily using a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner that removes any food deposits. Note that toothpaste is abrasive and creates scratches where there is a food buildup. Also, a hard-bristled brush can damage or cause wear on the dentures. Any traces of denture adhesive inside the denture's grooves should also be removed.

Soak dentures

You should take your dentures out at night to allow your mouth tissues to recover. It is essential to soak dentures at night to help them maintain their shape. You should soak in water or a denture solution when not in use. However, dentures with metal attachments may not be suitable to soak in a water solution as the attachments could tarnish. Your dentist can advise you on which solution would be best for a soak if your dentures have metal attachments. Lastly, you should never soak your dentures in hot water, as they will warp.

Handling dentures

Before re-inserting your dentures, you should rinse them, especially if you have cleaned them with a chemical solution. These chemicals, if ingested, can lead to harmful side effects such as burns, pain or vomiting.

Also, dentures are delicate appliances. When handling them or cleaning them, you should take precautions to prevent them from breaking. You should place a towel underneath the dentures or ensure the sink is full of water. You should also store your dentures properly. If you wrap them in a tissue or paper towel, there is a high likelihood of throwing them away.

Regular checkups

Regular dental checkups are also part of a good oral care regimen. Your dentist will advise you on how often you need to schedule an appointment for an examination of the dentures. The dentist examines the fit of the dentures and checks for any signs of wear or discomfort. The gums and bones in your mouth change over time, which can lead to improper fit. Improperly fitting dentures can lead to sores and pain in your mouth. In this instance, a dentist adjusts the fit of your dentures.

They also examine your oral hygiene to check whether your mouth is healthy.

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