First, we’d like to celebrate your new smile with you! If you’ve been living with missing teeth for a while, having a fresh set of dentures can be an exciting and liberating experience. Properly designed, these prostheses can improve your dietary options, make you feel more confident, and even make it simpler for you to speak clearly. The connecting they provide with friends and family cannot be understated, though those who don’t depend on them may find the effects they have surprising. Now that you have a new set of teeth, it’s time to learn how to care for them so they can last you a lifetime!
Versatile But Delicate
One of the first things to learn about your new teeth is that they are surprisingly delicate things. This isn’t to say that you ought to be extra careful when wearing them. For most things we use our mouths for, your dentures are going to work just fine. Avoiding extra hard foods is generally advisable, and in most cases, we should be avoiding these even with our natural teeth! The time to be extra careful with them is when taking them out to care for them. Whenever possible, remove your teeth while over a folded towel or a full sink of water; this will prevent accidents where they become chipped or broken.
Dental Hygiene For Dentures
One of the most frequent mistakes new denture wearers make is using traditional toothpaste on their teeth. While quite sturdy, the abrasive nature of toothpaste for natural teeth can cause damage to the surface of your dentures. This can actually lead to more debris and plaque building up on your dentures, as well as their becoming discolored. You’ll need a special toothpaste for dentures, as well as a soft-bristled toothbrush. It’s also advisable to rinse off your dentures after every meal, just to make sure they stay clean and don’t become discolored.
Denture Cleaners For An Extra Clean Smile
There are a host of specialized cleaners for dentures, all of which can extend the life and beauty of your new teeth for a long time to come. An overabundance of caution can lead some people to use bleach, but doing so can actually whiten the pink part of the denture. The best solution is daily brushing, as mentioned above, and then placing them in an ultrasonic cleaner to dislodge any remaining particles. Look for the ADA (American Dental Association) marker to ensure safety and effectiveness in your cleaner.
Don’t Let Them Dry Out
Finally, you want to make sure that you don’t let your dentures dry out when you’re not wearing them. Soaking them in a glass on the bedside table is necessary at night, but they should be kept moist anytime you take them out of your mouth. Denture solution is the best for this purpose, but even a glass of water will protect your dentures from cracking and warping.
Do you want to learn more about taking care of your new teeth? Contact the Alameda Dental Group in Alameda, CA, to schedule an appointment today! Under the direction of Dr. Alireza Movassaghi, our team helps denture patients get the most out of their new dentures through education on proper care! We look forward to hearing from you.