Changes in the skin and teeth are inevitable when people age.
The skin suffers from wrinkles, dry patches, and discoloration, while teeth fall off due to weakness in the gums.
People rely on various creams and lotions to take care of and nourish their aging skin. Besides, there are professionally-approved skincare options like natural oral supplements that genuinely work. So in other words, there are multiple options to revitalize aging skin.
But, once your teeth start to fall off, the only solution that remains is dentures. Dentures are excellent substitutes for missing or fallen teeth, and can perfectly restore your smile, and confidence.
However, dentures need to be cared for properly, to keep them sparkly clean and in good shape. Regularly maintaining your dentures might not seem like an easy feat, but the habit grows into you.
Here are some important Dos and DONTs you need to remember.
DOs
- Handle your dentures carefully when you clean them. Though they are tough, they might break if you put too much pressure. Do ensure that clasps and plastic are not bent or damaged while cleaning.
- Caring for natural teeth requires one to rinse them with water after meals. Similarly, rinse dentures with water after your meals. It is best to rinse them under running water.
- Make sure to remove dentures before hitting the bed. Try to remove them from the mouth for 6 hours every day. It helps the tissues of the mouth in recovering as the dentures are foreign objects. Soak dentures either in warm water or an anti-bacterial solution to prevent bacterial growth.
- Always rinse the dentures before putting them back in the mouth. Rinse dentures properly before putting them back in the mouth. The anti-bacterial solution might contain harmful chemicals which could result in pain, discomfort, vomiting, etc.
- Just like brushing natural teeth daily, it is crucial to brush dentures. Ideally, brush the dentures with a soft-bristled brush and an ADA-accepted denture cleaner. Just like you would refer to Dermal Repair Complex reviews before buying oral supplements for skin, make sure to thoroughly check reviews for denture cleaners before purchasing.
Use gentle circular motions to brush dentures and then rinse them with warm water. And to avoid accidental damages or cracks to dentures, it is advisable to place them on a soft towel while cleaning.
- Taking proper care of the mouth is also vital. Irrespective of whether there are teeth along the gum line or not, taking appropriate oral care ensures that the dentures fit suitably for a longer duration. The gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth should be cleaned properly, and brushing the teeth with a soft-bristled brush in gentle circular motions will help in removing plaque and bacteria. In case someone still has some natural teeth left, then brushing them regularly and flossing them if possible is essential to reduce the chances of further damage to the remaining teeth.
- Regular appointments with a dentist are a must, and if dentures fit loosely, then that should be reported to the dentist so that the fitting of the dentures can be adjusted. Loose dentures are known to cause various problems like sores, inflammation, irritation, and even infections.
DONTs
Now, certain things must also be kept in mind and best avoided. These include –
- Avoid sharp objects like toothpicks or dental scrappers as they can easily slip and cause damage to the tissues of the mouth.
- Avoid using harsh and abrasive objects that include strong caustic chemicals, hard-bristled brushes, strong cleaners, etc. These can cause extensive corrosion to dentures, even irreparable damages.
- There are no benefits of using toothpaste labeled as ‘whitening’; these contain a chemical called hydrogen peroxide which is supposed to whiten teeth. However, this chemical does not affect the color of the dentures.
- Always avoid bleach or chlorine solutions at all costs. These can weaken and damage dentures. If dentures contain metal parts, then soaking them in chlorine solutions can corrode the metal.
- Hot or boiling water can bend and deform dentures. So, hot water should not be used for soaking dentures. Dentures should be soaked in warm water and not hot water.
- Eating with dentures requires some special considerations. When the dentures are new, then it takes some time to get used to eating with them. In the long run, it is essential to follow a few things when eating with dentures. Do not take a large amount of food at one go. Do not bite down on hard food with the front dentures to avoid damaging or chipping them.
Meticulously caring for your dentures ensures that you can keep your smile as beautiful as before, and for always. And most importantly, taking care of dentures is the best possible way to maintain positive oral hygiene.