In our last blog post, we discussed the history of dentures, or false teeth. In this blog post, we’ll continue our denture series and explain in detail how to care for your dentures.
The Century Dental family consists of two offices in New Jersey to conveniently serve you. Located in Eatontown and Jackson, our friendly and experienced staff offers general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry, including dentures and partial dentures. Continue reading below, and then give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DENTURES
Dentures are in essence your set of teeth and must be cared for in a similar manner. They are removable teeth that replace missing teeth. Dental implants are teeth that are permanently implanted, or fixed, in your mouth. Caring for your dentures is both for the longevity of your teeth and for good oral hygiene of your mouth.
- Don’t drop them. Dentures can break if dropped repeatedly or even dropped once and hitting just the right way. When handling your dentures, Century Dental recommends that you stand over a towel or a sink full of water when you are caring for them.
- Clean dentures daily. Like normal teeth, dentures need to be cared for daily. However, normal toothpaste is too abrasive and can create tiny scratches on your dentures that can then cause plaque buildup. Hand soap or mild dishwashing detergent can be used as well for denture cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves to dislodge food and such from your dentures. Ultrasonic cleaners work great; however, you’ll still have to brush them daily. Or, try a toothpaste that is specifically designed for denture cleaning.
- Invest in a toothbrush designed specifically for dentures. Century Dental recommends a toothbrush that is specifically made for dentures. These toothbrushes have especially soft bristles that won’t harm your dentures. You’ll want to brush them like you do normal teeth. Be sure to get all surfaces, and be especially careful around the plastic or bend attachments. Rinse dentures after every meal.
- Keep dentures moist when not wearing them, including overnight. Dentures need to be kept moist when not wearing them so they don’t dry out or lose their shape. Century Dental recommends that you put them in a soaking solution designed for dentures or in water. We can recommend one that will fit for you since some metals can tarnish in soaking solutions.
THINGS TO AVOID WITH DENTURES
- Bleach. Bleach can change the color of your dentures, which may have been matched to fit the rest of your teeth or for your preferred look. Bleach also is hard on the actual teeth themselves and can weaken them. Century Dental recommends that you avoid all products with any sort of bleach in them.
- Hot water. Never put your dentures in hot water as they may warp.
- Whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste has harsh materials in it. Always use products specifically made for dentures.
- Leaving your dentures lying around. Dentures are cool for kids. They love to play with them. Dogs love to chew them. You’ll want to put your dentures in a good storage place away from any marauders at hand.
- Paper towels. Century Dental has seen countless people accidentally throw away their dentures because they were wrapped in a paper towel. Avoid this at all costs.
Century Dental recommends that you take good care of your mouth as well. You’ll want to be sure you brush any natural teeth you still have and rinse your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Regular visits to your dentist will help ensure your dentures are functioning properly and spot any problems before they become a concern. Your dentures will also be professionally cleaned to remove any plaque buildup, which can break down your dentures. A properly cared for pair of dentures should last between five and seven years before you’ll need a replacement set.
DENTURE REPAIR
Denture repair is definitely something you don’t want to DIY. The metal is very thin and delicate, meant to just hold your dentures together and cause as little notice to the wearer as possible. Century Dental recommends never trying to bend the metal yourself if it’s out of place. Bring them in to us or your local dentist as soon as possible.
Furthermore, don’t ever buy any over-the-counter denture repair kits. These kits usually rely on some sort of glue that can permanently damage your dentures. Plus, you really don’t want glue in your mouth that may not be good for you. Schedule an appointment right away with your dentist or prosthodontist (a dentist who specializes in the restoration and replacement of teeth).
TYPES OF DENTURES
- Complete dentures. Complete dentures are dentures used for when you need to replace all of your teeth. This can happen for various reasons. Either you’ve had poor dental hygiene most of your life or for other reasons your teeth need to be extracted and replaced. These dentures sit on top of your gums and are typically made about 8-12 weeks after your teeth have been removed. This is to allow your bones and gums to heal, which can shrink over this time.
- Immediate dentures. Immediate dentures are usually a temporary set of dentures that are placed on your teeth right after they are extracted. This is so you’re not toothless in the two to three months it takes for your mouth to heal and for you to receive your permanent set of dentures.
- Partial dentures. Partial dentures are dentures for only some of your teeth that are missing that is used in conjunction with your natural teeth. They are usually attached to a pink base to match the color of your gums and then a wire is often used to hold the denture in your mouth. Partial dentures not only replace your missing teeth, but prevent your natural teeth from moving in your mouth.
- Dentures with dental implants. One of the more popular options is to use dentures with dental implants. Dental implants in essence replace the root of your teeth. They are used to secure the dentures in place and provide support for them. Snap-in dentures use dental implants for the same function, but are removable. There are many different varieties when it comes to dentures with dental implants.
- Bridges. Bridges can be used to help with dental implants. A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth by cementing artificial teeth (known as crowns) to your natural teeth.
Century Dental notes that since each person is unique in terms of what teeth are missing and how much bone structure they have, each case of dentures is likely to be different. Our dental implant and denture treatment plans are tailored to your needs, and we lay out all of your options for you with the pros and cons of each so you can choose which one is for you. In reality, all of the modern day dental options when it comes to replacing teeth are much better than their predecessors we discussed in our last blog post. Each serve their purpose, and it’s only a matter of deciding which option for dentures will fit in with your lifestyle, your care needs, and what you need and want.
HOW CENTURY DENTAL CAN HELP
Here at the Century Dental family, we have an unwavering commitment to you, our patients. When you visit us, we’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and your goals and answer any questions you may have. We’ll develop an individual treatment plan specific to you and your needs, even if that’s just regular dental check-ups and exams. We are experts at dental implants and creating natural-looking dentures and partial dentures. Our mission is to give you the best-looking teeth possible no matter how hard or complicated the process may be.
Century Dental cares about the health of your teeth. If you ever have tooth pain, soreness, or sores, come in for an appointment. If you do wear dentures and they feel loose or cause irritation, let us take a look. Often for dentures, it’s just a quick adjustment, and you’ll be on your way. For tooth pain, we can discover the source and then offer dental treatment from there. Our mission here is for your teeth to always feel good and look good. If they don’t, visit us today.
If you are in need of cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, general dentistry, or periodontics and dental implants, give us a call today. We can help at our Seaview Dental office in Eatontown or our Century Dental office in Jackson. Our friendly staff is more than happy to answer any of your concerns. You want a dentist who is experienced and whom you can trust. Call Century Dental today!
