Dentures are a type of prosthetic dental appliance that is constructed to replace your missing teeth. It is considerably less expensive than other tooth replacement options such as dental implants while still having many benefits that help improve the lives of patients. If you have acquired dentures in Calgary, you must preserve their condition to ensure that they last a long time, and in this article, you will find a couple of tips that will help you achieve that.
What are dentures?
Dentures consist of a base made out of acrylic upon which sit artificial teeth made out of plastic or porcelain. These appliances look incredibly natural and help improve the appearance of people with missing teeth, as well as help them regain functionality and improve their diet and speech.
There are different types of dentures near you. If you have lost all of your teeth, your dentist may recommend a complete denture, that is made to replace your entire smile. On the other hand, patients who have lost only a couple of teeth can use partial dentures which are made to fill the gaps left by your missing teeth.
How to take care of dentures
Generally, taking care of dentures is fairly easy. First of all, you should make sure to use both sides of your denture while eating to prevent one side from becoming more worn out than the other. Dentists recommend removing your dentures after eating and rinsing them with water to eliminate any food debris. Make sure not to use hot water while doing this since it can warp your dentures and as a result, they no longer will fit correctly. Be very attentive while rinsing your dentures to avoid dropping them on the sink or the ground. Also, you should brush your natural teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks with a soft bristle toothbrush before inserting the dentures back into your mouth.
It is vital to brush your dentures at least once a day to remove the plaque that has built up over the day. To do so, you can use water and a soft-bristle toothbrush that should only be used on your dentures. You might feel tempted to use toothpaste on your dentures to clean them more thoroughly, but you should abstain from doing this. Toothpaste contains harsh chemicals that while being safe on natural teeth, can affect the materials of your dentures. Instead, you can ask your dentist in Calgary about denture cleaning solutions which are a better option to use.
It is recommended to remove your dentures before going to sleep to let your gums rest. This is the best moment to brush them. If you tend to use adhesive to keep your dentures in place, you should brush away any residue from the grooves that fit against your gums. Dentures need to remain hydrated, and this can be ensured by soaking them in water or a soaking solution overnight. This will help your dentures maintain their shape.
How long do dentures last?
With the proper care, your dentures can last from 5 to 8 years. After this time, they will need to be replaced. The reason for this replacement may be that the materials in your dentures have worn out. In other cases, there are changes in the shape of the patient’s jaw due to bone loss and new dentures that fit correctly on their gums will need to be made. Either way, if you have dentures you should regularly visit a dental clinic near you to assess their condition and determine if it is time for a replacement.