Dentures in Daytona Beach can provide you with a beautiful smile, a strong bite, and the confidence you need to love life. Of course, your new teeth will only live up to their potential if you are diligent about taking good care of them. Here are some tips to help you protect your prosthesis, extend its life, and maintain your oral health.
Keep Your Dentures Clean
To prevent odors and staining, it’s important that you maintain daily habits that fight bacteria:
- Give your dentures a quick rinse after every meal.
- Brush your dentures at least once a day with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner.
- Soak your dentures overnight. A denture-soaking solution helps to fight bacteria, and keeping your dentures moist helps them maintain their shape.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
Of course, you’ll want to continue brushing and flossing any natural teeth that are remaining in your mouth even after you receive your denture. If you don’t have any of your natural pearly whites left, however, you still need to stick to an excellent oral hygiene routine. Not only will this prevent gum disease and bad breath, but it will also help to keep your dentures in good shape. You should:
- Run a soft cloth over your gums after you remove your dentures.
- Use a mouth rinse to fight bacteria.
- Clean your tongue. You may use a tongue scraper for this or a regular toothbrush.
Be Careful
Although dentures are fairly durable, they are vulnerable to breakage if you do not handle them carefully. To safeguard them from accidents, you should:
- Be sure to clean them over a folded towel or bowl of water; if you drop them, you want them to have a soft landing.
- Follow your dentist’s instructions for eating. You may need to avoid certain foods that could damage your dentures or eat in a particular manner. For example, cutting your food into small pieces makes eating easier for you and safer for your artificial teeth.
- If your dentures have metal attachments, be careful not to bend them.
Maintain the Fit
Your mouth will change shape over time, which will affect the way your dentures fit. Ill-fitting teeth can irritate your gums, and they may make it difficult for you to eat. Visiting your dentist for regular readjustments can extend the life of your dentures and help them stay comfortable for as long as possible. Eventually (after 5 – 8 years or so), though, your mouth will change so much that you’ll need new dentures altogether.
Dentures offer a practical and functional solution to missing teeth, but only if you care for them well. Use the above tips to keep your new pearly whites and the rest of your smile in great shape.
About the Author
Dr. Gladston Silva is an accomplished general dentist in Daytona Beach who enjoys helping his patients regain their lost teeth and their confidence. If you have questions about dentures or other restorative treatments, contact our office at 386-274-2021.