How to care for dentures

Complete dentures are replacements for missing teeth that you can take out of your mouth and put back on your own. While dentures are not real teeth, it’s just as important to take care of them just as you do your natural teeth.  Here are some tips and tricks from Dr Rigby's bag of helpful hints:

A compete upper and lower customized set.

• Handle with care. Dentures are delicate, so when you’re handling them, stand over a plush towel (or at least a sink) in case you drop them. Be sure to store them out of the reach of children or pets, who may easily knock them to the floor or use them as a chew toy.
• Keep them clean. Brush and rinse your dentures daily. Just like natural teeth, food, bacteria and plaque can build up on them. Brushing also helps keep them from getting stained. Many stores sell toothbrushes specifically designed to clean dentures.  Brush your dentures with water or for a fresh taste use mouth rinse. Brushing your dentures with a toothpaste or baking soda can abrade and scratch the outer surface leaving them dull and more prone to plaque build up.  Don’t forget to clean your gums and tongue as well. Even if you don’t have any natural teeth, you want to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
• Don’t let them dry out. When you’re not wearing your dentures, keep them soaking in water or a solution.  Don’t use hot water because that can warp their shape over time. While you can certainly find many ultrasonic cleaners on the market (and they’re great tools), these are not a replacement for regular brushing. Look for products with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal.
• Avoid using denture adhesives and creams.  If used, these materials are a short-term solution for improving function and retention of a prosthesis.  It is best to have the dentures evaluated by a qualified dental professional if long-term use of these products is needed, as they may cause more harm to the body and tissues used to support the dentures than warranted. 
• Consult with a Pro when having concerns with your existing dentures.  Find a Prosthodontist in your area at the American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) website.  A Prosthodontist can help guide you towards the denture care routine that will work best for you. If you have any problems with your dentures, consult a Prosthodontist as soon as possible. Don’t attempt to repair them yourself.

It is important that you take good care of your dentures to ensure they last as long as possible. Even with excellent care, you should still have your dentures relined, rebased or even remade every five years or so.  Dr Rigby recommends that an annual exam be performed to not only check on the fit and function of the prostheses, but also for a routine head and neck cancer screening.  Dentists and other dental specialists are often the first to find and report these lesions, saving many people lives.  For more information about how you can care for your dentures, or to schedule a dental appointment, contact Rigby Advanced Dental today!!!