Imagine your mouth like a machine with all kinds of moving parts. Your tongue, teeth, gums and inner cheeks are all part of the machine that works together to bite, chew, and swallow your food. Just like any other kind of machine, your mouth needs maintenance. That’s why it is important to go to the dentist and get regular dental cleanings.
Dentures are the replacement part. There are many reasons why your teeth might need replacing with dentures like gum disease or an accident that has led to tooth loss. If you are living with tooth loss then dentures can enhance your life. Without dentures, you wouldn’t be able to bite food, chew, or speak, and may highly likely become self-conscious of your smile. Over time, however, your dentures will require maintenance, just like natural teeth do. Due to everyday use, ageing, and small changes that happen in your mouth, your dentures can crack, lose their lustre, and start to look a little less pearly white.
Additionally, the fit of your dentures may change as you get older, causing them to feel less secure or fall out. Ill-fitting dentures can result in you feeling self-conscious and can affect the way you speak, and put them at risk for damage or to fall out. There are physical side effects to losing dentures as well including difficulty chewing, sore and irritated gums, headaches, and soreness in your jaw. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms associated with loose-fitting dentures, click here to book an appointment with True Fit Denture Clinic in Surrey.
Dentures should typically be replaced every five to seven years. Higher quality and more durable dentures can last a little longer but even they will need replacing after around ten years of time. If you have partial dentures, it’s even more important to stick to this schedule. Your natural teeth may shift if your dentures don’t fit securely which can lead to further problems down the line.
There are, however, a few things you can do to make sure that you get the most wear possible from your dentures.
- Keep them clean. Brushing your dentures with a soft toothbrush and rinsing your mouth after eating can help prevent staining. It’s also a good practice for oral hygiene, as food can become trapped between your dentures and your gum line which can lead to infection. Always make sure you wash and soak your dentures overnight. You can use a denture cleaner but warm water will work as well. A denture cleaner can also be used a couple of times per month.
- Use both hands when you take them out. This is to avoid dropping them into the sink. Dentures are surprisingly delicate and aren’t meant to be dropped or built for impact. Dropping them onto a hard surface can cause teeth to come to lose or even fall out. You can also place a towel or washcloth in the sink to cushion the blow in case they do fall. Cover the drain so that if any teeth fall out you can bring them to your denture specialist for repair.
- Chew only food. Some people have a habit of absent-mindedly chewing on pens or pencils. Your dentures weren’t made for this and doing so can cause them to chip or crack. Your dentures were made for eating, so make sure that’s all you use them for.
Proper denture care can significantly increase their lifespan. For all your denture needs, contact True Fit Denture Clinic in Surrey.
