If you wear dentures, it’s important to properly care for your tooth replacement apparatus in order to achieve the most attractive and comfortable wear, as well as to ensure that they last as long as possible. Caring for your replacement teeth will differ slightly, depending on whether you have a removable denture or an implant-supported model.
Permanent Or Removable Dentures
For the purpose of this article, we will be talking about how to care for dentures that you can remove from your mouth. For the most part, if the apparatus is permanently secured in your mouth by an attachment to implants, you can care for them much in the same way as natural teeth since they do not come out of your mouth (except you have to take extra care to clean between the bottom of the apparatus and the top of the gums).
For removable models, you will need to remove your false teeth each day and clean them much in the same way as you would your natural teeth. You’ll want to use a soft-bristled brush, since anything harder than that can damage the surface. You’ll also want to use a special cleaner since some toothpaste can be too abrasive for the surface of the manufactured teeth. Some dentists will also tell you that you can use a mild soap or dishwashing liquid for cleaning, but you should first check to make sure that this is recommended for your particular apparatus.
In addition to brushing, it’s recommended that you use an ultrasonic cleaner to dislodge any stuck on deposits on the surface. This is a small tub-like device that holds a bit of cleaner and then ultrasonic sound waves vibrate in the solution to dislodge the particles. This step does not have to be done every night but should be done periodically to keep the teeth as clean as possible.
It’s also important to take great care in making sure you don’t drop your dentures when handling them. It’s best to place a soft towel on the bathroom counter or handle the apparatus over a sink full of water so that if they do drop, they do not break, costing you a good deal of money and leaving you without an attractive smile.
When you are not wearing your replacement teeth, they should be placed in a container with a cleaning solution or water. What you use to keep the apparatus moist will be dependent on whether there are any metal attachments, since they can tarnish in certain solutions. It’s also important to note that you should never place the teeth in hot water, since it can make any plastic on the apparatus warp or lose its shape.
If you find that over time your dentures are not as comfortable as they once were, you may need to have the apparatus relined or rebased. If minor repairs to the replacement teeth do not solve your comfort issues, it may be time for a new denture to be made. However, with proper care, you can expect your replacement teeth to provide you with years of attractive and comfortable smiles.
For more information about dentures, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
