Proper denture care depends on the type of dentures and the patient's overall oral health. Without proper care, the dentures will not last nearly as long as they can. With the proper care, patients will not need to worry about their dentures so much. However, dentures need specific care that differs from typical brushing and flossing.
On this page, we break down the various form of denture care and the steps one will have to take. To begin, dentures need daily cleaning and care, just like teeth.
Taking care of dentures
For a patient with removable dentures, it is crucial to remove them at night and thoroughly clean them. At least once a day, preferably at night, the individual needs to remove the dentures and carefully rinse off any loose food particles. However, the individual will not want to use typical toothpaste to clean the dentures.
Regular toothpaste can actually damage the base of the dentures due to the abrasive particles in the toothpaste. There are specific denture cleaning fluids that one can purchase to use for cleaning the dentures. We can go over where to get these solutions during a consultation. It is also wise to get a specific brush to clean the dentures. Using a brittle toothbrush can actually do more damage than good to the dentures.
When cleaning these dentures, it is important to keep the dentures above a towel or soft surface. Dropping the dentures, even just a few inches above a hard surface, can cause them to crack or break. Dentures must stay wet at all times and must not become dry. Thus, it is best to keep the dentures in water when one is not wearing them at night. In some cases, patients can keep their dentures in a cleaning solution overnight but will want to ask the dentist if that is best.
By following these steps or the directions that a dentist gives, the patient will be able to continue wearing the dentures for long periods of time without damaging the dentures. We may recommend regular checkups to help keep an eye on the patient's oral health to ensure the dentures are in working order.
If the dentures are not removable and stick to the patient's gums, then the dentist will recommend a different cleaning regimen. In many cases, caring for implant dentures will be the same as taking care of regular teeth with brushing twice a day. Patients need to take care of their gums and mouth as well.
Keeping up oral health
If a patient, who wears dentures, does not take care of his or her mouth, then there is a greater chance for infection to form; even when one cares for the dentures. For patients who can remove their dentures, they need to gently brush their gums, palate and tongue. Brushing the mouth without the dentures inside it will help to prevent plaque buildup and infection. It is also crucial to seek regular oral health exams from the dentist.
Even if the patient has lost all of his or her teeth, it is important to seek professional dental care on a regular basis. A dentist will be able to tell a patient with dentures how often the patient needs to seek professional treatment. A dentist will be able to spot any damage and possible signs of infection before they spread.
If the patient needs any adjustments for the dentures due to a crack or chip in the dentures, we will repair or replace the dentures if necessary. In some cases, it will be easier to replace the dentures entirely. Dentures typically last about 5 to 10 years before needing replacement. Keeping the dentures in good condition can help prevent the need for more frequent visits to the dentist.
At RSN Dental PC we will go over the proper care regimen for dentures with the patient before sending them home with his or her new teeth. During this appointment, we will also answer any questions the patient may have and address any concerns before the procedure. This way, the patient will not go into the procedure with any confusion or false pretenses.
If you are interested in restoring your smile with a fully-functional set of teeth, give us a call at (347) 802-8371. We will schedule an appointment as soon as possible and help you on the path to a better, brighter smile. We will customize the dentures to match the size of your mouth and fit perfectly.
Adjusting to New Dentures
Adjusting to new dentures can be difficult, no matter if the patient is getting partial or full dentures. There are several reasons why adjusting to dentures can take time, but it will be worth it when an individual is able to smile using a full set of teeth. With dentures, a patient will gain both the natural appearance and functionality of teeth again.
Necessary Changes to a Dental Hygiene Routine
Losing permanent adult teeth can be a problem that occurs with age and poor dental hygiene. Poor dental hygiene seems to accelerate the process of infection spreading and teeth falling out. If the infection spreads to multiple teeth or the entire mouth, then a professional will need to remove the teeth to prevent the infection from spreading and causing greater amounts of pain. Once we remove the infection, we can then insert the dentures.
Adjusting to wearing new dentures can also include a new dental hygiene routine at home. Patients will also need some time to practice speaking with the dentures. Surprisingly, people may find this more difficult than they believe since it is difficult to suddenly change one's routine. However, the benefits of wearing dentures will be worth the changes one has to make.
The dentures themselves will feel slightly uncomfortable for the first few weeks. However, patients will adjust to the dentures with time. Patients will be able to invest in natural-looking dentures and feel confident in their smile.
Different types of dentures
There are multiple types of dentures for a patient to choose. Depending on the current state of the patient's oral health, we may recommend a specific type of dentures for the patient. We will customize each patient's dentures to their teeth for a perfect fit. Therefore, patients will not have to worry about issues with the size of the dentures.
- Conventional complete dentures are one type of denture that we will place in the mouth without any teeth or after we remove the last few. These are the most common form of dentures that people will wear. They consist of two separate rows for the upper and lower teeth.
- Implant-supported dentures attach the dentures to metal posts in the jaw to remain in place. These types of dentures will not need removal for cleaning. However, not all patients will be able to wear implant supported dentures. We will determine the best choice for the patient during an examination.
Regardless of the type of dentures, there are multiple health benefits to wearing dentures.
Benefits of Dentures
Full functionality with a natural appearance
Dentures can look great and function like regular teeth. Patients who receive dentures can continue to eat the foods they know and love. However, patients will need to start out with softer foods before shifting to harder and stickier foods.
The reason for this is that the patient needs time to adjust to using the new dentures. However, once the patient has time to adjust to the dentures, the patient will be able to have a fully-functional mouth once again. Unlike popular belief, people will not notice that the teeth are false.
Eat whatever foods one prefers
While the patient will need to eat softer foods for the first few weeks after getting dentures, they will be able to eat their favorite foods with time. Once the patient adjusts to using and speaking with the dentures, he or she will not feel encumbered by the dentures.
Stimulating the face structure
When an individual does not have teeth in the mouth, the body will go through the process known as resorption. In this process, the body senses that there are no teeth to stimulate the nerves in the mouth. Thus, the body will leach calcium from the jaw bone and weaken the structure in the face. Resorption can cause the face to have a sagging appearance. Having dentures can help to prevent the sagging appearance in one's face.
Adjustment takes time
At RSN Dental PC, we will go over all of the necessary steps for denture care and how long the adjustment process will take. Once the patient adjusts to the dentures, we are confident that the dentures will be a perfect fit. Call us at (347) 802-8371, if you have any interest or questions about dentures. We will schedule an appointment to examine your teeth and determine the best form of dentures to give you the appearance and functionality of a full smile.