Dentures are an investment in your appearance, quality of life, and self-confidence. So they’re pretty important. You probably want them to last a long time and minimize needing repairs. That means there are certain things you should and shouldn’t do. Some might involve breaking bad habits, but for the sake of your wallet, oral health, and mental health, you can do it! Keep reading for helpful tips on how to maintain your dentures.
Do: Keep Up with Your Oral Hygiene
Just because your dentures are inorganic doesn’t mean they don’t need cleaning! They might not be able to suffer from decay, but your soft oral tissue still can. If you allow harmful bacteria to build up on your dentures, it can easily spread to your gums. This will lead to gum disease, which can only be treated in the early stages with a deep cleaning!
Follow your dentist’s care instructions. Brush your dentures twice a day, floss in between those porcelain whites, and rinse out loose debris with warm water. Don’t forget to soak your dentures in their special cleaning solution before bed!
Don’t: Use Your Dentures on Hard Surfaces
Do you bite your nails? Tear off bottlecaps with your teeth? Chew packaging until it rips open? Don’t do that. These are bad habits for natural teeth and can be an even bigger problem for your dentures. You risk chipping or cracking them and will put additional strain on your gums to boot. It’s better to use the tools that humanity specifically designed for these things.
Do: Wear Your Dentures as Instructed
When you first get your dentures, you are usually supposed to wear them 24/7 for a short period of time. This helps you and your gums adjust to the new replacement. However, after the first few nights, start taking them out! Your gums need to breathe – literally. If you don’t give them six to eight hours of rest, they won’t get any circulation. This isn’t good for your oral health. Plus, the added wear and tear will break down your dentures faster.
Don’t: Skip Your Biannual Dental Checkups!
Even if you’ve lost all your natural teeth, you should still visit your dentist twice a year.
When you visit your dentist for biannual checkups and cleanings, you give them a chance to examine your mouth for early signs of complications. You can do what you can to watch for worn out dentures or inflamed gums, but your dentist is a professional. They’re trained to look for these things. Plus, your dentist can help you keep your dentures in tip-top shape by making repairs and cleaning away plaque with specialized equipment.
Your dentist is pretty good at their job, to say the least. However, the best way to ensure denture longevity is to stick to the good habits and avoid the bad ones! After all, your dentist sees your dentures at least twice a year. You see them every day! If you need help staying on track or need some additional tips, don’t be afraid to ask them for recommendations. If they didn’t like helping patients, they wouldn’t be in the business.
About the Practice
Drs. Nada Elsadig and Lan Duckett have both received honors for their work with dental restorations. They’re also very passionate about dental education. If you have questions or concerns about your dentures, there’s not a better team to ask! They’ll keep you informed and help you feel confident with your restoration. To contact their office, call 703-241-5775. For more information, feel free to explore their website.