Even though you no longer have natural teeth, that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on the daily brushing. Your denture does a great job of replacing your smile. It helps you chew food, speak with confidence, and looks good as it supports facial tissue and restores balance to your face. Without your denture, life just wouldn’t be as enjoyable, so taking care of your appliance is essential to ensure it looks, feels, and performs at its best. A denture, along with oral tissues, requires some special TLC to ensure that a your dental health is optimized. Here are some tips to help you keep your appliance in tip-top condition.
Just Like Natural Teeth, Dentures Need Daily Care
The importance of brushing and flossing daily is something every Calgarian has heard about thanks to a vigilant hygienist, decay opposed dentist, or commercials that drum home the benefits of fresh breath and sparkling white teeth. And, even if you don’t have natural teeth, you can’t escape the importance of daily oral care; as even with a denture, you’ll need to brush daily — but you do get to skip the flossing.
Plaque that forms on natural teeth also builds up on dentures. This bacterial film can make dentures prone to odor and irritate oral tissues, like your gums, cheeks, and tongue. Daily brushing of your denture removes plaque and food debris – and helps to keep your denture looking good and smelling fresh. Remember to use a soft brush and gentle cleanser specifically designed for dentures. Abrasive toothpastes and very hard brushes can damage your appliance.
The Safest Place for Your Denture is In Your Mouth
If you’re concerned about the safety of your denture and want to prevent damage and loss, than the best thing to do is keep it in your mouth. Dentures are incredibly strong and resilient for replacing teeth, but they don’t exactly bounce if dropped, and they certainly can’t withstand a pet gnawing on them. The reality is that a denture is designed to be in your mouth, so you should limit the amount of time when it isn’t being worn to just bedtime, and ensure that it’s safely soaking in a pet-proof container or glass.
Along with carefully handling your denture when it’s not in your mouth, be sure not to bite into food that is rock hard. Biting into a bit of bone or other hard material can actually cause damage or even break your denture. Some food should be avoided regardless of whether you have natural teeth or wear a denture. Chewing hard candy, biting into the pit of a peach, mango, or related fruit, and eating certain nuts can all damage both natural teeth and dentures.
Maintaining Regular Exams with Your Denturist
To keep your denture in good condition, we recommend regular checkups with your Calgary denturist. Changes to the mouth are ongoing and adjustments may have to be made to a denture to achieve the best fit and level of comfort. Decreasing levels of jaw bone and reduction of gum tissue can prevent a denture from performing well and put stress on the appliance. Seeing your Calgary denturist regularly not only keeps your mouth healthy; it also prolongs the life of your denture.
Need more tips on caring for your mouth and denture? Follow our upcoming blogs to get the latest tips and information on denture wear. Can’t wait to get an answer to your question? Call our friendly denturists at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today at (403) 254-5000
