The process of acquiring dentures or any tooth-replacement treatment can seem confusing and daunting. The following page is aimed at providing some clarity and insight into the process of replacing missing teeth through denture care tips, professional opinions, suggestions for treatment, and more.
Toothpaste:
When it comes time to clean your dentures there are some solutions that can harm them. Keep in mind that denture acrylic is softer than enamel so using toothpaste is not advised. Most everyday toothpastes contain hard abrasives like baking soda which can produce microscopic scratches, creating places for bacteria to hide. Over time toothpaste can also darken your teeth as you wear the top surface way. You may also remove acrylic from the fitting surface of the denture causing ill fitting dentures. Such harsh chemicals like bleach and javax are also toxic to dentures as well and your mouth and should not be used to clean your dentures. Prolonged use of bleach may also cause the pink acrylic on your dentures to discolour and turn white. There are alternatives to toothpastes like commercial denture cleaners, or brushing with mild soap and water. You may also try using vinegar if you notice a lot of plaque and tarter build up on your denture. For good oral hygiene you should also massage your gums at least once a day to stimulate and keep your gums healthy and firm.
Nightly Removal:
We strongly advise taking your dentures out at night – allowing the gums to relax and get oxygen, as well to allow normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva to keep long-term healthy gums. Most people, whether they know it or not, are nightly or daily bruxers and clenchers which can cause you to wear denture teeth down faster. So taking your dentures out is not only good for the health of your gums and tissues, but also prolongs the life span of your dentures. When you remove your dentures at night it is always advised that you keep them in a denture bath in water and don’t let them dry out.
Abrasive foods:
As you know, eating habits may have to change when wearing dentures. Certain foods may become hard to eat as you are now chewing with dentures and not natural teeth, so you must choose the foods you eat with caution. Not only will hard foods like carrots, apples and corn be more difficult to eat, but there are foods that can actually damage and pre-age your dentures. Surprisingly, foods like white mints and certain nuts can prematurley wear your denture teeth away – significantly reducing the like span of your dentures. You may be thinking, “how is it possible a white mint can damage dentures when they are smooth and all your doing is sucking on them?” As the mint starts to melt in your mouth, that smooth surface wears away and creates a gritty, rough surface which overtime will wear away the acrylic, as well as teeth on your dentures. As for nuts, almonds and some other types of nuts are very hard and can be difficult to chew. Therefore, this can cause you to crunch away on them harder and harder – slowly removing layers on your denture teeth. Staying away from these and other hard foods, along with a balanced diet, will help prolonge the lifespan of your dentures.
Self-adjusting dentures:
If your dentures are hurting, coming in for adjustments can feel like a nuisance. In reality, adjustments are normal – especially when getting new dentures. Your mouth and tissues is a very sensitive area, and placing a hard piece of plastic on your gums may cause some irritation. We always recommend that when your gums feel sore to come in and see us and dont try to self-adjust your dentures. You may unnecessarily remove parts of the denture, causing ill fitting dentures. When recieving new dentures we offer three months of post-care to make sure your dentures are comfortable. When patients come in with a sore spot we use a pressure cream to point out the exact location on the denture causing irritation. We won’t grind the denture without proper inspection in the mouth first. This way we dont remove any part of the denture that shouldn’t be taken off – allowing for best fit.
...I look forward to treating more patients together, as a team with Keith.
- Dr. Bruce Farlow
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