Three tips for new denture wearers
If you've recently been fitted for dentures and are a bit apprehensive about the prospect of wearing them, read on for some tips which should help you to adjust to wearing your new dental device.
Understand the importance of cleaning your dentures
Most people are well aware that they need to brush and floss their real teeth at least twice a day. However, it might surprise you to learn that you will need to clean your dentures even more thoroughly than your non-artificial teeth. This is because dentures are made from materials which are porous (that is, covered in numerous microscopic holes).
If you fail to thoroughly clean your dental device each day, harmful bacteria will begin to multiply inside these tiny spaces. Over time, the presence of these microbes in your mouth could lead to oral health problems, such as halitosis and gum infections.
As such, it is crucial to prioritise denture cleaning. Ideally, you should remove your dentures and brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush each morning and evening. Then, before you fall asleep, you should pop them into a glass of denture-cleaning solution. This liquid will not only prevent the dentures from drying out but will also kill any remaining bacteria that your toothbrush was unable to extract.
Don't ignore changes to the way that your dentures fit
Tooth loss often leads to bone resorption, a process which causes the section of the jawbone that lies underneath a missing tooth to be reabsorbed by the body. This can result in the gums and teeth changing their shape and position, respectively. This, in turn, can affect the way in which your dentures fit.
If, after wearing your dentures for a few months, you begin to notice that they no longer comfortably fit the shape of your mouth, don't ignore this issue; make an appointment with your dentist immediately. If you don't, you may end up experiencing some of the many problems associated with ill-fitting dentures, such as mouth ulcers and gum lacerations.
Avoid using at-home denture repairs kits
If your dentures break, you should avoid using an at-home repair kit at all costs. Denture repairs should only ever be carried out by a professional dentist.
This type of dental device is custom-made to fit your mouth. It is designed with extreme care, by both your dentist and a team of dental lab technicians, in order to ensure that it is in perfect alignment with the contours of your gums.
As such, it is highly unlikely that you'll be able to fix your broken dentures at home, using your own shop-bought repair kit. The fact of the matter is that, unless you have extensive training in dentistry, you simply won't have the necessary skills and experience to bond the broken denture pieces back together properly.
If you attempt an at-home repair job, you may end up with poorly-fitting dentures that don't allow you to chew your food properly or speak clearly. You may also find that you sustain small friction wounds in your mouth if the badly-repaired dentures rub against your upper palate or the inside of your cheeks.
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