Tips to Help Your Dentures Last Longer

As someone wearing dentures, it is important to take the steps necessary to keep them in good condition. Obtaining a natural-looking and comfortable set takes time and a financial investment. With several appointments necessary to create a pair of dentures that fit, it is important to take the proper steps to preserve them for as long as possible. For suggestions specific to you, call our office. Otherwise, references these tips to help your dentures last longer:

#1. Take them out using both hands

If a person pulls dentures out from one side, the dentures can begin to slowly lose their ideal shape. This action can also create wear in one portion of the dentures while the other side remains perfectly intact. It is best to use both hands to remove them slowly and methodically.

#2. Rinse them

Keeping dentures clean is critical for preserving their condition and for oral health. Many people forget that oral health problems can arise, even without natural teeth. Gum health is critical to the oral health and if bacteria is trapped in the dentures, it will touch the gums and could lead to an infection. To prevent this, they should be rinsed on a regular basis, especially after eating. Rinsing the mouth at the same time is also a wise idea.

#3. Clean them carefully

When it comes time to clean them, be sure to plug the drain on the sink and to set out a soft towel. Rather than plopping them down on the hard counter, gently place them on the towel while preparing to clean them. This will prevent an inadvertent chip or crack from forming as they collide with a hard surface. During the cleaning, it is best to use special denture-cleaning solutions, rather than normal toothpaste which tends to be abrasive.

#4. Soak them

While some people choose to wear dentures at night, it is best to remove them and soak them in a special solution. This is beneficial for ensuring they do not become too dry or crack. It will also help to make them more comfortable to wear.

#5. Use a plastic case

Storing them in a plastic case is the best way to ensure they do not get knocked to the ground, stepped on and broken. If they are taken out to give the gums a rest or at night without soaking, they should always go in a case and that case must be kept somewhere safe. If pets or small children are in the house, the case should either go up high or be securely placed in a drawer that they cannot open, rather than left out on the counter or bedside table.

#6. Avoid chewing on pencils

Chewing on a pencil, eating ice or putting other hard objects in the mouth is unwise, whether a person is wearing dentures or has a full set of natural teeth. Doing so can lead to damage.

Visit Lunada Bay Dental Practice for assistance.

If your dentures become damaged and need to be repaired, give us a call at (310) 448-1260. We can inspect them and make a recommendation for how to restore them if it is possible to do so.