Whether you are new at wearing dentures or have been wearing them for years, knowing how to care for them is critical. For most people, the experience of wearing dentures can take time getting use to. Learning how to care for your dentures, how to alleviate the widespread discomfort and how to choose safe foods to eat can be the key to wearing your dentures for years to come.
Cleaning and Maintenance
How you clean your dentures and with that also impact their comfort when you wear them. Because regular toothpaste can ruin your denture, it is important to use a denture cleaner as well as a special denture brush. Clean your dentures at least twice a day, usually morning and night, and rinse them thoroughly after eating as well.
Although some people choose to wear their dentures 24 hours a day, it is not recommended by most dentists. The gum tissue located inside of your mouth needs to time to replenish, and this can only happen when the dentures are removed.
Soak the dentures in a small cup of a denture cleaner. After soaking, gently brush the denture to remove dirt on teeth.
Clean are the brushes at least once a week by soaking it in a solution of 50 percent bleach and 50 percent water to eliminate any built-up bacteria on the brush.
Alleviating Pain
Massage your gum daily with a soft bristle toothbrush or your clean finger to help toughen up the gum tissue so it is not so sensitive when wearing dentures. Rinsing your mouth twice a day with warm water and salt plus help the guys feel less irritated. If your mouth is extremely uncomfortable, over-the-counter topical pain medication will help numb the area. Remember to give your mouth a rest if need be as well. Leaving you venture out a day can help relieve some of the pressure on sore gums.
Eating Foods
When first wearing dentures, it is important to eat soft foods until you get more comfortable with your dentures. Once you’re more comfortable, gradually introduce foods that are harder in texture. Remember not to overdo it or eat pieces that are too large. The most frequent food to avoid when wearing dentures are those with a sticky texture (such as peanut butter) or any food that requires tugging or chewing (such as pizza crusts). These types of foods can loosen dentures, causing them to possibly fall out. Avoiding foods that contain the seeds or nuts is also wise, because they can become stuck underneath your dentures. Additionally, any food that is too tough or hard can cause your dentures to crack.
Warnings
Dentures are very fragile, so it is important to treat them with care anytime you are handling them. It is very easy for them to become cracked or damaged if not took care of properly.
Never use regular toothpaste, cleaning products or any abrasive cleaner to keep them in good shape. These items can crack the dentures and cause significant damage. They can also strip the coloring out of the pink part of the denture, making them look unnatural.
If you have partial dentures do not soak them in vinegar solution, as it can deteriorate the metal on the denture itself.
If soreness persists for longer than 10 days, visit your dentist.