As we get older, our chances of needing dentures increase. Unfortunately, dentures are not cheap, but they help us eat and speak. Thankfully, proper denture care can help them last longer.
Oral Care: Dentures vs. Natural Teeth
You may be wondering, how do I take care of my dentures?
The answer is simple.
You should practice the same oral hygiene as you would with your natural teeth. Yes, we understand that dentures are not your natural teeth. Yet, they still require the same level of care and attention because improper care can harm your health.
What Happens If I Do Not Take Care of My Dentures?
When you do not have proper denture care, you can still encounter the same problems as you would with natural teeth.
Let’s say you have not cleaned your dentures in a while. Like natural teeth, food will begin to build up.
This buildup will cause bacteria and fungi to grow, increasing your risk of infections.
You may also start to form painful pressure sores on your gums. These pressure sores can cause potential infections and eating problems, leading to unintended weight loss. However, these are not the only risks you may encounter.
Poor denture care can also result in stains and bad-smelling breath.
Establish A Denture Care Routine
Like natural teeth, following a denture care routine can help them last longer.
After Eating
After eating, wash your hands and gently remove your dentures. Next, rinse your dentures off to remove any remaining bits of food. Before placing them back in your mouth, you should also rinse out your mouth.
Brush Twice Daily
You probably know you need to brush your teeth twice a day. The same goes for your dentures. You should clean your dentures using a soft-bristle toothbrush with a nonabrasive cleaner. Use these products to brush the teeth, areas of the dentures that touch your gums, and where the dental fixative is applied.
Soak Overnight
Before you hit the hay, remove your dentures and soak them in a denture-cleaning solution overnight. Soaking your dentures in a cleaning solution can stop them from drying out.
When you wake up, rinse them off before putting them back in your mouth. Next, empty the cleaning solution from your soaking container and leave it open all day, allowing it to dry.
Annual Dentist Visits
Even though you have dentures, you should still go to your yearly dentist appointment. Your dentist can assess your mouth health, check that your dentures are fitting correctly, and clean them professionally.
Delicate Denture Care
It is important to remember that dentures are delicate. So they can break. You can decrease your chances of breaking your dentures by following these tips:
Cushion The Fall
It would be best to clean your dentures over a basin with cushioning. You can fill it with water or line it with a soft cloth. Doing this will decrease the odds that your dentures will break if dropped.
Water
You should NOT clean your dentures with hot water, which can damage them. Instead, you should use cool or warm water.
Consult Dental Professionals
Using the recommended brushes and cleaners is vital when caring for your dentures because regular toothbrushes might be too harsh. You can ask your dentist or dental hygienist what products you should use.
Denture Care: Drying
Be careful with how you dry your dentures. Many dentures should not sit out in the air and dry out completely.
Denture Pain: What Should I Do?
If you or your loved one are experiencing pain or having difficulty wearing your dentures, call your dentist. You may have a sore on your gums or need them adjusted because of changing weight or something else.
How Long Can Dentures Last?
Dentures can last around five to 10 years with proper care and regular dental exams.
Is Your Loved One Having Denture Issues?
Problems with dentures can impact your loved one’s health in more ways than we realize. Denture issues can cause poor eating, weight loss, bad breath and other issues that may seem unrelated.
As the family caregiving experts in Greater Cleveland, Careplan Care Managers can help you address this often-overlooked area of personal hygiene. Contact us, and we can help you navigate your loved one’s denture care.
