Dentures are among the most tried-and-true of all dental treatments, having assisted countless patients with rebuilding their smiles and restoring their quality of life. That said, as dependable as they are, they require a particular amount of care to remain functional, clean, and most importantly, comfortable to wear! Here are a few must-know tips that your dentist wants you to keep in mind concerning denture care, so that you’re able to get impressive mileage out of your new smile!
Tip #1. Always Handle Your Dentures with Care
Dentures aren’t invincible, and just like your natural teeth, it’s possible for them to sustain damage. They could fall and break, become chipped or cracked, become warped or disfigured, or even become lost entirely if you aren’t careful. Any time you aren’t wearing your dentures, you should be sure you’re handling them with care or they’re in a secure location. If you’re cleaning or inspecting your dentures, hold them above a towel to cushion any potential falls. If they’re soaking, be sure they’re not resting by the edge of a countertop. Treat them like the investment they are!
Tip #2. Clean Your Dentures Using the Correct Methods
Dentures must be kept as clean as your natural teeth; though they can’t become decayed, they can still become stained, dirty, and unpleasant to wear, which will also heighten the likelihood of other oral health issues. You should rinse your dentures after every meal to remove any lingering food particles. You can also brush your dentures using a soft-bristled toothbrush coupled with mild soap or denture cleaner. Most patients also remove their restoration at nighttime to soak it, which conveniently lines up with the 8 hours of rest you should give your gums on a daily basis.
Tip #3. Be Particular About Your Diet
Many patients with dentures are quite excited to enjoy eating all their favorite foods again—and rightfully so! The ability to bite and chew uninhibited is easy to take for granted; however, you’ll want to be sure that you’re making healthy, sensible choices when it comes to eating with dentures. Certain foods can disturb, dislodge, or damage your dentures, and other items might be very difficult to bite or chew with prosthetic teeth. You will do yourself a lot of favors if you stick to a healthy diet after receiving your dentures, but beyond that, show caution around tough cuts of meat, corn on the cob, certain nuts, seeds, types of bread, and other similar items.
Tip #4. Continue to Visit Your Dentist
Just because your dentures replace your missing teeth does not mean you’re off the hook when it comes to visiting your dentist—in fact, it arguably becomes more important than ever before! Dentists do much more than peek inside your mouth and polish your teeth; they’re experts in denture repair and maintenance! This means that by visiting your dentist regularly, you’re ensuring that your dentures are always working at peak functionality and always fit exactly how they need to.
About the Practice
The Blue Coast Dental Group team has proudly served the dental needs of the Torrance, CA community for several years, offering a wide range of treatment options including dentures. The practice is fortunate to house four skilled specialists: Dr. Sanaz Hamzehpour, Dr. George Cho, Dr. Maria Galvan, and Dr. Pedram Marhabi. If you have any questions about dentures or you’d like to set up an appointment for you or a loved one, feel free to contact the practice through their website or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (310) 424-3100.