General Denture Care
If you are wearing removable dentures as substitutes for your missing teeth, you should know that they are designed to fit snugly in your mouth. Like your natural teeth, you should keep your dentures clean and maintain them properly to prevent damage or fungal infection. However, you should also practice some denture maintenance tips that are necessary to keep the prosthetic appliance in good order, such that it will continue to conform to your mouth structure without becoming wobbly or ill-fitting over time.
Here Are 5 Tips For Taking Good Care Of Your Dentures Below!
Keep Your Dentures Wet
The base material of your denture is normally made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is chosen for its stability with regards to temperature change and resistance to wear and tear. PMMA dentures are also less likely to break while offering higher chewing efficiencies and bite forces, as compared to polyamide. Most PMMA removable dentures have been pre-wetted as water is incorporated into the matrix of the denture material. When not in use, denture wearers store their oral device in water, so that their dentures would not dry out and become warped. The denture material will not be able to retain its original shape after it has been dried out and deformed as a result. Once it loses water and its original shape, you would have to get your denture replaced.
Handle With Care
No matter how well designed your denture is, it is not built to withstand abuse or mishandling. If the denture slips and falls onto a hard surface, it most certainly can break. When you need to handle the denture, always make sure that you are standing over a full sink of water or over a folded towel so as to avoid dropping the denture on the floor and breaking it by accident. For your reference, our practice in the city provides emergency denture repairs, with minimal delays and same-day turnaround.
Maintain Regular Dental Hygiene
Every time you get a new denture, you would need to practice regular cleaning to prevent the building up of stains and deposits. It is also a good habit to rinse them after each meal and clear them of any lingering food debris. Be sure to brush the denture at least once a day with a soft-bristled brush to remove plaque and food particles.
Clean Your Dentures Regularly With A Solution
You may soak the denture in a mild soap solution or dishwashing liquid to kill the germs when you are not wearing the device. Do not soak in hot water as the extreme heat may damage the denture. Some chemicals used in certain household cleaning products and toothpaste may also be too harsh or abrasive for the denture.
You can use an ultrasonic cleaner that uses sound waves to dislodge the deposits and particles. The mini bath-like contraption is used to soak the device in a cleaning solution while the sound waves are released to catalyse the cleaning process. It should be noted however that an ultrasonic cleaner does not replace daily brushing for regular maintenance of the denture.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
It is important to schedule regular visits to the dentist not only to make sure that your denture is functioning well and in good repair, you should also check to make sure that you have no underlying dental conditions that may compromise the device. At the same time, you should always receive professional cleaning from a dentist or dental hygienist every six months to clear your teeth and gums from bacterial and plaque build-up. You can never be too careful with fungal infection, particularly when you are a denture wearer.
Would You Like More Information?
At Face Value Dental, we offer a range of Denture Solutions, all customised to suit individual patient needs. If you’re interested to find out more, arrange an appointment with your Brisbane CBD Dentist. Dr. Chappell at our practice is an experienced prosthetist who can help with all denture-related enquiries, no matter how big or small.
Please contact us on (07 3221 0677 or fill our Enquiry Form for more information.