A good set of dentures can afford you a level of oral health you may have been missing ever since you lost your teeth. You can chew, talk, and smile in ways that you might not have in years. That said, you have to take care of your prosthetic for it to take care of you.
Maintaining your dentures is easy once you know how to do it. If you need a little help, here are a few things you can do to keep your dentures in top shape.
Remove And Rinse Dentures After Eating
Your dentures allow you to chew up food more effectively than you could otherwise, but they collect germs and food particles as you do so. That means you need to take them out and clean them after meals. The cleaning doesn’t have to be that involved; simply take them out and rinse them with lukewarm water. Just be sure that the water isn’t too hot, as high temperatures can cause your prosthetic to warp.
Brush Your Dentures Daily
Just like your natural teeth, your dentures appreciate a good brushing. You should make a habit of brushing your dentures at least once a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that won’t leave scratches behind. You should also avoid whitening toothpaste, as the hydrogen peroxide in these products can damage your prosthetic.
Soak Your Dentures Overnight
While your dentures may look smooth, they’re actually covered with tiny pits that can become home to an incredible number of bacteria. Brushing helps, but it doesn’t completely eliminate these bacteria formations. That’s what denture soaking solutions are for. These solutions are antibacterial in nature, and they’re designed so that you can leave your prosthetic in them overnight. This also gives your gums time to rest for a few hours while you sleep.
Avoid Abrasive Cleaners
It’s good to want dentures to stay nice and clean, but it’s important to avoid cleaners that can damage them. Your dentures aren’t as hard as your natural teeth, so stiff-bristled brushes and toothpaste that contains abrasives can scratch your prosthetic. You should also avoid products that contain bleach, as these can weaken and discolor the plastic on your dentures.
This guide may sound like a lot, but once you’re used to cleaning your dentures, you’ll hardly even have to think about it. With proper maintenance, they should last you up to a decade with no issues.
About Our Practice
At Jacksonville Complete Dentistry, we strive for three things above all else: Quality, reliability, and convenience. To achieve these goals, we have three dentists on staff, each of whom is deeply qualified and prepared to give you personalized attention. Our expert dental team is also more than happy to help you with whatever oral health problem you may be facing, and they’ll make sure that you’re comfortable when you arrive at our office. If you have any questions about taking care of your prosthetic, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (904) 645-6457.