It is essential to maintain good denture hygiene to avoid any health complications. However, it cannot be accessible when dentures are involved. Maintaining oral hygiene with dentures may seem like an impossible task at first glance. Still, luckily there are many ways you can make this easier on yourself and eventually even enjoy the process. You can also search for denture clinics near me and regularly get your dental checkup to ensure healthy teeth.
Here are the tips for maintaining oral health with dentures.
1. Clean your dentures regularly
It would be best to clean your dentures as soon as you take them out at night and after every meal. Use a special denture cleaner to avoid damaging the material of your teeth, especially if they are made from acrylic or other strong plastics. If you have metal dentures, soak them in warm water with baking soda for a few minutes, then use an old toothbrush to scrub off any residue left behind on each piece.
Rinse thoroughly once you have finished cleaning everything up before storing it away again for another day.
2. Soak your dentures overnight in a solution
Soak your dentures overnight in a solution of warm water and bleach. This kills the bacteria on them and helps remove stains from coffee or tea. Remove them before going to sleep, so they do not become loose as you move around at night. You can use this method once or twice a week if needed.
If you have an upper plate only, soak it with denture cleansing tablets instead of using bleach alone, which is harmful when ingested because it contains chlorine gas that has been shown to cause liver damage over time. Use ordinary table salt rather than baking soda – one teaspoonful should be enough per liter/quart of water.
3. Rinse dentures after you eat
You were rinsing your dentures with water after every meal is the most crucial thing that you should do to maintain good oral health. Food particles can get caught in denture crevices and will be harder to remove once they harden over time. If food particles are not removed, decay-causing bacteria may grow inside these spaces. They wouldn’t usually have access to sugars that create acid, which could eventually cause cavities on the denture surface.
4. Take care of your entire mouth
If you have partial dentures, you’ll probably want to attempt to keep the remaining of your teeth as healthy as possible. Whenever it relates to ‘how to keep good oral hygiene,’ you’ll want to pay attention to your gums as well. In addition to making sure no food gets stuck among both your dentures and gums, it’s a good idea to massage your gums regularly to increase blood flow and relieve any discomfort.
If you’re having trouble with your dentures, talk to your dentist about denture adhesive or whether it’s ready for a fresh set.
5. Consult your dental prosthetist regularly
Your dentures need to be checked for fit and alignment at least every three months. If you have a dentist, they may regularly recommend visiting them or consulting your dental prosthetist.
The Bottom Line
Dentures are a great way to replace missing teeth. However, denture maintenance is crucial for keeping them clean and effective in your mouth. Make sure that you follow the tips mentioned above to maintain your oral health with dentures.