Dental decay, injury, or gum disease can lead to multiple tooth loss, which can affect your teeth' functionality and your smile. Fortunately, dentures are an excellent solution for lost teeth. If you are planning to get dentures near you, you’ll be pleased to know that in terms of functionality, dentures restore your speech capabilities. They also allow you to eat food properly as you did with your previous teeth. However, to ensure that your dentures last long, you need to take care of them.

How to Care for Your Dentures

Below are ideas you can use to keep your dentures in top shape.

Be Gentle When Handling Your Dentures

When handling dentures, you should be gentle and cautious to avoid damage. Ensure you clean them and use non-abrasive materials. Do not clean them with hot water, as it can cause the plastic to bend, weaken or break. During cleaning, place your bowl of water on a towel so that your dentures have a soft landing if they slip from your hands as you clean them.

Do Not Wear Your Dentures While Asleep

Although dentures are durable, they can wear out as you grind them during your sleep. Moreover, dentures need to be soaked in a special liquid that gets rid of bacteria and maintains their shape. So, make sure you soak them in the denture cleaner when you go to sleep. Taking them off also gives your mouth and gums time to rest and a break to recover from having to hold them during the day.

Go for Regular Dental Checkups

Regular checkups are essential for maintaining proper oral health and ensuring that your dentures are in good condition. Your dentist at The Light Family Dental will examine and clean your dentures and check if they still fit properly without causing any discomfort or slippage.

Prioritize Your Oral Health

It's essential to maintain good oral hygiene even when wearing dentures. For starters, you need to brush your gums and your mouth’s roof to get rid of bacteria and any plaque that may be stuck there. Then, for those with some natural teeth still intact, brush them regularly and floss them to keep them healthy and strong.

Do's and Don'ts of Dentures

After getting your dentures in Converse, it is essential to learn how to take proper care of them. To care for your dentures, follow these guidelines:

DOs:

• Rinse your dentures after meals to remove any food particles.
• Soak them overnight in water to eliminate any bacteria or plaque.
• Brush them daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep them free of bacteria and plaque.
• Finally, store them in a secure place when you aren't wearing them.

THE DON'TS

Do not:

• Soak your dentures in hot water because it can cause them to warp.
• Use toothpaste to brush them since it can be too abrasive and harm the material.
• Put them in dishwashers because it can damage them.
• Store your dentures in direct sunlight since it can cause them to fade.

How to Keep Dentures Clean and Comfortable

Here are several tips on cleaning your dentures:

Rinse your mouth after every Meal

After eating, it is essential to rinse your dentures under running water to remove any food particles or debris. However, be careful not to damage or drop them. You should also brush your teeth, gums, and tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush and dentist-recommended toothpaste.

Brush your Dentures every day.

To clean your dentures, remove them every night and clear debris off of them with a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleaning agent recommended by your dentist. Avoid whitening toothpaste, as it can contain abrasive particles that can damage dentures. Instead, you can use affordable denture-cleaning tablets or solutions from pharmacies. If you prefer using soap, use a small amount of dishwashing detergent on a soft brush, and rinse the dentures thoroughly with water.

Soak your Dentures Overnight

After cleaning your dentures, soak them overnight in water or a mild denture cleaning solution to sanitize and freshen them. Do not use bleach or other corrosive agents, as they can damage the dentures. Before wearing them in the morning, rinse them thoroughly with water to remove any harmful chemicals from the cleaning solution. Visit our dental clinic near Converse, TX, to get your dentures installed or checked by our dentist. We also offer other general, cosmetic, and restorative dental procedures.