If you have some missing teeth, then it is important to realise that this is more than just an issue with the aesthetics of your face. Gaps in your teeth and gums can be a real hazard to your dental health. Not filling those gaps can increase the risk of developing cavities and it could cause damage to your other, healthier and still present teeth.

Dentures are one of the most popular and successful ways of dealing with gaps in your teeth, because they work so effectively. However, like most things, you need to take care of your dentures properly to get the best from them. If you don’t, you may experience aches and pains when you eat or may even have to have new ones put in as your current ones are not suitable anymore. In the following post, we will look at some handy tips for looking after and getting the best out of your dentures.

Remove Them Before Bed

Unless your dentures are implant-supported and it is not possible to remove them, you should always take your dentures out before you go to sleep. As dentures sit on your gums, when you take them out it gives your gum tissue a little bit of respite. It also allows for your saliva to coat your gums to keep them moist and dislodge any food debris and particles that may have been missed when you brushed.

Brush Your Teeth And Dentures Daily

Speaking of brushing, it is crucial that you clean your dentures on a daily basis. The fact that they are synthetic doesn’t change the fact that food can get stuck inside them or that they develop plaque. Although you won’t get denture cavities, the same bacteria that causes them is also responsible for gum disease.

Furthermore, your dentures also can get stained, which means you lose the brilliant white appearance they had when you first got them.

Only Use Lukewarm or Cold Water

Many people think you need to use hot water or even boiling water to properly sterilise their dentures. While this can help to a certain extent, it may actually increase the risk of damaging them. Water that is very hot can actually cause warping in dentures, particularly if they are left to soak in in it for extended periods of time. Obviously, as dentures have been made to fit your mouth, warping can ruin this.

Handle Them With Care

Although dentures are obviously very tough and durable, made to withstand chewing and regular use. However, this does not mean they are completely impervious. It is still possible to damage your dentures by dropping them, particularly onto a hard surface. You could also damage them through rough handling. So, handle them with the appropriate care to help them last as long as possible.

Make Sure They Stay Moist

Dentures are designed and constructed with the understanding that they will always be moist and wet. Although this occurs naturally when you are eating and drinking throughout the day, it is vital you ensure they are wet when they are not in your mouth. Keep them in cold water or a special soaking solution over night.

Consider The Options For Implant-Supported and Implant-Retained Dentures

While full dentures that replace the teeth on the bottom or top gum of your mouth are effective, many people experience issues with these. Issues such as slipping and sliding while eating. It may be quite rare, but it is also possible for them to fall out too. This is because they are not secured to your gums permanently. Rather, they are stuck in place using the gum-coloured base’s shape and adhesive. Implant-retained and implant-supported dentures are a great alternative therefore.

Continue With Regular Visits To The Dentist

Having a full set of dentures does not mean you don’t need to visit the dentists ever again. At Estetica Dental Lab in London, they recommend that you keep up regular dental appointments, even after your denture work has been completed. As this will help to ensure the dentures are still sitting comfortably in your mouth and that you are not developing gum disease and other issues.