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For anyone suffering from missing teeth, getting dentures is one of the best ways to restore your smile. Dentures are false teeth designed to have a natural appearance.
Taking good care of your dentures involves more than just brushing them. Here are seven ways you can protect them:
1. Start With Softer Foods First
Do not eat hard foods that are difficult to bite and chew if your dentures are new. You need to slowly get used to them, especially since they will feel different and unusual in the beginning. During the first few days, stick to softer foods like oatmeal, soup, soft bread, and vegetables. As you slowly get comfortable and learn how to chew, you can begin transitioning to hard foods like meat.
2. Wash Your Dentures After Every Meal
Dentists advise brushing your dentures after every meal to ensure they are clean and well taken care of. You should use a non-abrasive cleansing solution instead of toothpaste to clean your dentures. You also have to be careful not to brush too hard.
3. Always Keep Your Mouth Clean
Whatever you put in your mouth is likely to affect your dentures. Hence, as part of good oral care, you should always keep your mouth clean by:
- Brushing regularly
- Flossing your natural teeth
- Using mouthwash once you take the dentures out
Good oral care will help you protect your dentures longer.
4. Soak Them In Cool Water Overnight
One common mistake people make with dentures is wearing them overnight. This causes food debris and other bacteria to stay in your mouth longer and can cause damage to your dentures.
Before going to bed, do the following:
- Remove your dental device
- Clean them thoroughly
- Soak them in cool water overnight
Hot water can cause shape alterations, so stick to cool or lukewarm temperature water to soak your dentures.
5. Do Not Use Abrasive Cleaning Materials
Sharp objects such as toothpicks or rigid brush bristles can cause damage to your dentures in the long run. Hence, you should be careful in choosing the proper cleaning materials.
Instead of using abrasive ones, you should opt for a toothbrush with soft bristles. You should also avoid flossing dentures or using whitening strips.
Every time you brush your dentures, do it gently to avoid causing direct abrasions. When putting them down, always lay a cushion or soft towel first.
6. Avoid Whitening Toothpaste And Bleaching Products
Harsh cleansing solutions can cause as much damage to dentures as abrasive materials, perhaps even more so. Gentle care and regular brushing are enough to clean dentures, and whitening toothpaste does not give any additional advantage. While it helps clean surface stains, it also scratches dentures, thus weakening them.
Bleaching products are even more damaging. These chemicals usually contain chlorine that may easily corrode the metal parts of your dentures.
7. Schedule Dental Checkups At Least Every Six Months
No one can take care of your dentures better than a professional dentist. After some time, these prosthetic devices may begin to feel loose. This is a sign to see your dentist for a refitting.
Consulting a provider does not only help protect your dentures but your oral health, as well. Your dentist can prescribe you the appropriate cleaning solutions and help you take care of your remaining teeth, so you don’t need additional dentures in the future.
Denture Care In Eugene, OR
Taking care of your dentures means taking care of your smile. At 360 Dental, you can expect the best and most reliable denture care in Eugene, Oregon. We also provide other dental services, such as tooth extractions and emergency root canals.
You may inquire more about our services at (541) 689-1645. You can also request an appointment with us through our online request form. We look forward to helping you protect your smile!
