How To Care For Dentures
By: Kathryn Hyer - October 10, 2017In the last century, dental technologies have improved drastically, making dental care more readily available than ever before. Among these advances in the dental industry are dentures. It’s estimated 36 million Americans don’t have any teeth, while 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth. Of these 156 million citizens who are missing a tooth or teeth, about 15 percent have dentures made each year.
As these dental technologies have progressed, more and more people are recognizing the benefits of dentures, both for cosmetic and practical health reasons. It is projected by the year 2020, approximately 37.9 million people will need dentures. With this tremendous growth in denture usage, it is important to educate oneself on the proper care of dentures. If you’re a member of the denture community, learn more about how to lengthen the lifespan of your dentures, by educating yourself on the proper care needed for your dentures.
1. Handle Dentures with Care
Some dentures are more fragile than others, depending on the material they are made out of. For instance, porcelain dentures are more fragile than acrylic resin dentures, and should be handled with extra care. Porcelain dentures are easily breakable, especially if dropped on a hard surface, such as the counter or sink.
2. Clean Dentures After Each Meal
Although this tip is self explanatory, it’s always good to be reminded of the necessity to rinse your dentures after each meal. Simply remove the dentures, and rinse them under cold water to remove food debris. It is suggested to place a towel in the sink, or on the counter to avoid breakage if the dentures are accidentally dropped while rinsing them.
3. Brush Your Dentures Daily
Dentures should be soaked and brushed daily with a non-abrasive denture cleanser. This assists in removing food, plaque and other similar particles. Denture cleaner may be purchased at most convenience stores.
4. Clean Your Mouth Daily After Removing
By keeping your mouth clean on a regular basis, the lifespan of your dentures will be lengthened. Use a regular, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your natural teeth, and a soft brush or gauze to clean the top of your mouth, cheeks and tongue.
5. Soak Dentures Overnight
Since moisture helps dentures to keep their shape, it’s important to soak them each night. Dentures may be soaked in water or a denture soaking solution overnight.
6. Rinse Before Putting Them in Your Mouth
This step is especially critical if dentures are soaked in a solution overnight. Many solutions contain chemicals that may be harmful if inhaled. Getting in the habit of rinsing your dentures every morning before putting them in will greatly benefit you in the long run.
7. See Your Idaho Falls Dentist Regularly
Scheduling regular appointments with your Idaho Falls dentist will ensure that everything is going well with your dentures. The dentist will ensure your mouth and dentures are being properly cared for, and will offer suggestions for improvement if needed. If any discomfort is experienced, see your dentist immediately.
Conclusion
Dentures can last anywhere between 5-10 years, so the better you care for them, the longer they will last! If you are thinking about getting dentures in the near future, Dr. Machen would love to sit down with you and talk about your options. She specializes in partial and full denture creation, and will be happy to address any of your denture questions or concerns. Give Machen Family Dentistry in Idaho Falls a call today at (208) 552-0775 for your first denture consultation!
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