Losing a tooth is something we all want to prevent, as teeth help us in many functions, such as chewing, phonation, and aesthetics. The good side is that even if you lose a tooth, it has become easier to replace it, and many options are available, including dentures. A denture is a prosthesis used for replacing some or all teeth, as dentures can be either partial or full dentures and fixed or removable.
When Is A Denture Indicated?
-When you have missing teeth: If you lost some or all of your teeth due to caries or trauma and your remaining teeth and gingiva are weak and can’t support a fixed prosthesis
-If you are old: Fixed appliances such as implants or bridges have a complicated procedure, so they may not be suitable for old age
-You want to restore the aesthetics: Dentures are characterized by having a denture base that is most commonly pink in color; this flange helps to support the facial muscles and restore the patient’s aesthetics.
How Are Dentures Made?
If it’s a partial denture, the dentist first prepares the mouth, then takes an impression, records the occlusion and jaw relation on the next visit, and finally makes a try-in of the denture; if everything goes well, delivery will be at the following visit. If it’s a complete denture, no teeth are remaining, so no preparations are made, and the dentist takes an impression directly.
What Issues Should You Expect After Getting A Denture?
Similar to having anything new in your mouth, you will feel worried and uncomfortable at first after getting a denture; you may also have difficulty speaking or chewing. Don’t worry; all that is normal and will gradually decrease week after week. But there are also several signs that, if found, you should go quickly to your dentist to fix, such as cracks in the false teeth or if there are pressure sores on your gingiva accompanied by pain and redness. As in this case, you should immediately visit your dentist and ask him to adjust the fitting surface of the denture.
How Can I Maintain The Cleanliness Of My Dentures?
-Prepare your bathroom. Because denture materials are brittle, you should always prevent them from falling on the floor. You may also put a towel on the floor to make sure that even if it falls, it doesn’t break.
-Take out your denture. You can gargle with warm water to help loosen it, but take care not to hurt your gums.
-Rinse the denture under running water to remove any loose food particles.
-Brushing your denture should be done with a soft-bristled toothbrush, as using a hard or medium-bristled one will roughen the surface of the denture and make it more susceptible to plaque accumulation, which will harm both the denture and your mouth, causing inflammation and pain.
-Never forget to clean your mouth and remove any residues from food or denture adhesives.
-Soak your denture overnight.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean My Denture?
Many problems will arise, such as bad taste, bad breath, and gingival inflammation.
What Toothpaste Is Best For Dentures?
The general rule is that you shouldn’t brush your denture with toothpaste because toothpaste contains abrasive constituents that, if used on the denture, will warp it and leave it damaged rather than cleaned. However, some new companies have products that are similar to toothpaste but are gentler on dentures and can be used for them, such as Polident, Dentu-Crème, or Fresh ‘n Brite.
How Many Times Should I Clean My Denture?
Cleaning dentures is done at least daily, but the best practice is brushing and cleaning them twice daily and also after eating.
What Is The Best Cleaner For Dentures?
The best cleaner must be something light and soft that isn’t harsh on the denture, as we want to clean it, not warp it. Many products are found on the market, one of which is “Smile Again,” a denture cleaner that is suitable for any type of denture, whether full or partial.
Can I Use Bleach For Denture Cleaning?
No, as if bleach is used on a denture, it will change its color, and you may need to make a whole new denture, so please don’t do that!
How Long Should I Soak My Dentures?
Soaking your denture in water is recommended whenever you are not wearing your denture, even if it’s for many hours. But if you add a disinfecting solution to water, then the time is determined by the manufacturer, for some products it’s 10 minutes, and for others, it can be overnight. Dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape and function, so it’s important that when you remove the denture from your mouth at night, you leave it soaking in water overnight.
Moreover, if you add an antimicrobial solution to the water, you will help disinfect the denture, but make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as only certain types of solutions are suitable for dentures.
Should I Visit The Dentist Again?
The answer is yes, visiting the dentist should be done regularly even if there’s no problem with the denture, as the dentist will make sure it still fits correctly and that there are no signs of lesions or complications. Also, they may give you instructions regarding denture cleaning and can clean it in the clinic using an ultrasonic cleaner.
