You can replace one, several, or an entire arch of missing teeth in an affordable and effective way with removable dentures. These custom-made oral appliances feature prosthetic teeth attached to an acrylic base. When worn, they fill gaps in your smile to enhance dental aesthetics and restore oral function.
You can also remove them from your mouth when not needed for flexibility and patient comfort. With proper maintenance, these dentures can last for five years before requiring replacement.
To maximize the longevity of this treatment, you will need to follow your dentist’s aftercare advice. Read on to find tips for caring for your removable dentures for long-lasting restorative dental benefits.
Rinse and Soak Your Dentures
Many people appreciate that they can take dentures out of their mouths when not in use. However, when you do not wear your removable dentures, you must make sure you soak them in a cleaning solution or water.
Even if you keep dentures in a covered container rather than open air, dentures can dry out. Then the appliance will lose its shape, and it will no longer fit properly in your mouth. Ill-fitting dentures can cause soreness in your mouth and will likely slip out of place.
If dentures do not fit the way that they should, they will not function as well either. And you could risk oral health problems, including damage to any remaining teeth or the gums.
You should also rinse your dentures before putting them back into place any time you take them out of the mouth. This ensures you do not introduce germs or cleaning products in your mouth that could hurt your smile or your overall well-being.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
If you want your dentures to last for as long as possible, you will need to take proper care of the rest of your mouth too. This means practicing good oral hygiene, a regimen that keeps your teeth clean.
Brush your teeth at least twice each day and floss daily to remove plaque and other harmful residues that could spread bacteria through your mouth if they remain on your smile. Otherwise, you could form tooth decay, gum disease, or other dental problems that may alter your smile.
Then dentures will not fit as well as they should. And you will not receive optimal restorative dental benefits from this appliance. To maximize oral hygiene, visit your dentist for routine teeth cleanings and oral exams too.
Complete Separate Cleaning for Your Dentures
Your removable dentures will require a separate cleaning regimen from your usual oral hygiene routine in order to continue looking and feeling their best. At least once a day, such as during your usual oral hygiene regimen, you should brush your dentures.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a special denture cleaner to clean the appliance without harming the fixture with abrasive ingredients. Do not use hot water for this task or when rinsing because the high temperature could warp the appliance. Learn more about denture care by calling your dentist.