Proper Denture Care Prevents Emergencies
Denture wearers love that their teeth can’t get cavities or gum disease; however, they also know that dentures still need proper denture care to stay looking and feeling good. Proper care for dentures not only helps prevent denture emergencies, but it also minimizes denture sores, mouth yeast infections and bad breath. Denture maintenance involves daily care at home as well as periodic check-ups with your dentist.
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How To care for dentures
Daily Care:
- Wash your complete dentures each night. Brush your dentures with soap and water. You may soak it in denture cleanser or denture cleaning solution if you desire. If you soak them, rinse your dentures in warm water before wearing.
- Brush your gums like you would your natural teeth to remove food residue. Be sure to remove any remaining denture adhesive.
- Never sleep in your denture.
- Handle your dentures with care and avoid hot water.
Wondering what to soak your dentures in at night? Check out this blog!
Monthly At-Home Inspection:
- Check the teeth for wear.
- Check for cracks.
- Check for white or discolored patches on your gums and tongue.
If you see the teeth wearing, cracks, discolorations on your tongue or gums or if you have mouth sores, call your dentist.
Yearly Maintenance at Your Dentist:
Knowing how to take care of dentures, includes understanding how important a yearly check-up is because it includes the critically important oral cancer screening as well as a thorough denture cleaning, inspection and bite adjustment.
how to care for dentures with implants
Daily Care:
- Wash the denture each night. You may brush it with soap and water or soak it in denture cleaner.
- Brush your gums thoroughly to remove food residue.
- If you still have teeth, brush and floss them nightly. Periodontal disease causing bacteria easily spread from teeth to implants and can cause implant failure.
- Never sleep in your denture.
Monthly At-Home Inspection:
- Check the denture teeth for wear.
- Check for cracks.
- Check the silicone housings for wear and tear.
- Check for white or discolored patches on your gums and tongue.
See your dentist immediately if you notice the silicone housings wearing thin. Also see your dentist if you see the teeth wearing or cracks forming, or if you notice discolorations or sores on your tongue or gums.
Yearly Maintenance at Your Dentist:
An implant denture requires maintenance at least once a year. Your dentist will check bone levels around your implants and will deep clean and carefully inspect your implants and your snap on denture, replacing silicone housings and re-balancing the bite as needed.
how to care for Partial Dentures
Daily Care:
- Wash the partial denture each night. You may brush it with soap and water or soak it in denture cleaner.
- Brush your gums and teeth thoroughly to remove food residue.
- Floss around your remaining teeth.
- Never sleep in your denture.
Monthly At-Home Inspection:
- Check the teeth for wear.
- Check for cracks.
- Check the metal clasps for fit.
- Check for white or discolored patches on your gums and tongue.
Go see your dentist if you see the teeth wearing, cracks, loose or bent clasps or discolorations on your tongue / gums or if you have mouth sores.
Twice Yearly Maintenance at Your Dentist:
To prevent your partial from becoming a full denture, you need to keep your teeth healthy. See your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleaning and exam. Bring your partial denture to each check up so that your dentist can give it professional cleaning, denture care and an exam to spot potential problems that could cause you unpleasant surprises.
Roberto’s denture Story still makes me sad
Roberto came to me with rotten and missing teeth. He could not wait to trade his ugly, hurting teeth for new implant dentures. The day he got his gorgeous new smile he walked out feeling like a new man. He was so excited to take his family out to eat that night! We cheered with him and reminded him to come back and see us for denture care maintenance and an exam in 12 months.
from eating to emergency
About a year and a half later, Roberto’s dentures started to stick when he took them out. He told us that he just pulled harder. Had he looked inside, he would have seen the red silicone gaskets that hold the implants were getting holes. Had he come to see us for denture care maintenance, we would have replaced the silicones and prevents the nightmare that was about to happen. One night he tried to remove his denture but it stuck tight. He pulled until he literally pulled one of his implants out with his denture. When we saw him next, he had his denture and his implant in his hand.
A Denture with NEW Silicones vs. Roberto’s broken and worn silicone gaskets
If you look carefully at Roberto’s worn silicones, you’ll see that they have worn thin and are imprinted with the implant shape. The one with the hole pulled out the implant. The new silicones in the denture shown look like smooth jelly. These silicone housings are purposefully made to absorb the wear and tear of putting the denture in and out. They wear out so that your denture doesn’t. If the housings aren’t replaced regularly, the implant eventually sticks fast.
An Implant Overdenture with Brand New Silicone Gaskets
Roberto’s Implant and Broken Gaskets
This never would have happened with proper maintenance
Replacing these gaskets is a key part of implant denture maintenance. We recommend bringing in your snap-on denture once a year for maintenance that includes cleaning and inspecting the housings and replacing the silicone. Proper denture maintenance prevents these kinds of problems.
*We are using a false name to protect the patients’ privacy.
Better Dentures Start with a Consultation
Denture maintenance starts with a consultation. It’s the critical step to evaluate your denture and denture fit and to protect your health and your investment.
John Bec
John Bec, DMD, FAGD, FICOI
SAN ANTONIO COSMETIC DENTIST
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