3 Facts You Should Know about Your Dentures

Dentist Blog

Partial and full dentures are popular choices for people that have lost some or all of their teeth. They are affordable and can be customised to make them as close to your natural bite as possible. After the adjustment period, you will be able to talk and eat almost everything you would with natural teeth. This article highlights three important facts to remember when you have dentures to ensure you maximise your service life from them.

1. Dentures are hard but not unbreakable

Denture bases are made of strong, gum-coloured acrylic while the teeth can be made from plastic or porcelain. Sometimes, chrome-cobalt alloy or stainless steel can be included for reinforcement. While this makes them hard, they should be handled carefully or they could crack or even break.

You are advised to line your sink or table with soft cloth to give a soft landing field if they fall from your grip during cleaning. An annual check-up with your denturist can help identify cracks or anticipate necessary denture repairs so that you enjoy full service with them.

2. Denture repair should be done professionally

You should never try to fix your dentures yourself, as repair work must involve usage of the correct tools and the proper skillset. In addition, remember that your dentures are made especially for your own mouth; unprofessional repair can make them more uncomfortable or render them unusable in your mouth. Some at-home repair techniques, such as repairing with over-the-counter glue or DIY kits, are permanent, and so you'll have to get a new set in case your repair isn't successful.

If you've had an accident with your dentures, call your dentist's office as soon as possible to see when you can be slotted in. If this happens when you're someplace new, you can look up emergency denturists within that area to book an appointment. Try to get a service that offers same-day repair so that you're not inconvenienced for too long without the dentures.

In the interim, ensure your dentures are protected by soaking them in denture solution or clean water. Do not try to bend the metal attachments or clasps to avoid weakening the structure. You can continue using the dentures if you've just lost a tooth, although you should be extra careful to prevent further damage. Remember that they denture will feel different with the missing tooth.

3. Toothpaste is bad for your dentures

Dentures should be carefully brushed and rinsed using denture cleaner, not toothpaste. If you don't have cleaner, you can use mild dishwashing liquid and a soft-bristled denture toothbrush. Toothpaste and bleaches are too abrasive and will create minute scratches that make the dentures more prone to cracking/breakage. In addition, plaque and food particles may start building up in these scratches.

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11 December 2017