Things To Consider To Keep Dentures In Top Shape
Your dentures will last longer and fit better if you take proper care of them. Keep these points in mind to keep your dentures in top shape:
- Clean dentures daily. Brush your dentures each day the same way that you would brush your teeth, with one key difference: Skip the toothpaste. Many commercial types of toothpaste can damage dentures. Instead, use a soft-bristle denture brush, designed specifically for cleaning dentures, and water to brush all surfaces of the dentures, but be careful not to bend any attachments. Rinse your dentures with water after each meal. You can buy specialized denture cleaners for soaking dentures, but soaking is not a substitute for brushing's you need to brush the dentures to remove plaque.
- Treat dentures right. Fill the sink with water or place a folded towel in it when handling your dentures, so you don't break them if they should fall into the sink. When you aren't wearing your dentures, let them soak in cool water or a denture cleaning solution to keep them from drying out. Be careful of cleaning solutions if your dentures have mental attachment's the solutions could cause the metal to tarnish. And don't soak dentures in hot water's they could warp.
Remove your dentures (full or partial) every night. This allows the gum tissue beneath them a chance to rest.
If you take care of your dentures, you should be able to use them for five to seven years before you need to replace them. It's important to see your dentist every six months to check the condition and fit of your dentures and to look for any signs of irritation or gum disease so they can be treated immediately.