If you have missing teeth, you may have considered dentures as a tooth replacement option. Dentures are a type of removable replacement that fills the gaps left by missing teeth. Typically, they are made of a combination of resin, metal, and porcelain. Regardless of your type of tooth loss, there are denture types for you. If you are missing many teeth but still have some natural teeth remaining, you may use partial dentures. If you have no natural teeth remaining, you can use complete dentures.
Using dentures can provide structure to your jaws and gums. If you still have remaining teeth, dentures can keep them from loosening or falling out. Even if you don’t have any remaining natural teeth, you still need a replacement option to keep your jawbone healthy. Without it, your bones can deteriorate over time.
Dentures can restore your smile and the function of your teeth. Rather than struggling to eat or speak, you can use dentures to improve your quality of life. It is also important to keep dentures clean to remain healthy.
Clean Them Nightly
It is essential to clean your dentures at least once a day, preferably at night. Even if you have no remaining natural teeth, plaque will still build on the surfaces of your mouth. Plaque is a form of harmful bacteria that resides in your mouth. If you don’t remove it properly, it can cause significant damage. If you have teeth, plaque can cause tooth decay by weakening your enamel. Plaque can still damage the soft tissues of your gums and, eventually, the bones in your jaw. This is why it is vital to keep your dentures clean.
When you take them out each night, use a non-abrasive denture cleaner and a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque.
Take Dentures Out to Sleep
Just as important as keeping your dentures clean, you need to take them out each night. It would be best if you never slept in your dentures. This is because your gums need a break from wearing dentures. If you wear your dentures too long, you can form sores in your mouth. Unfortunately, this can lead to infection.
Although wearing dentures is important for protecting the health of your gums and bones, wearing them too often can have a counterproductive effect. The dentures can begin to irritate your gums or cause bone deterioration.
Additionally, wearing dentures too much can increase the risk of developing respiratory infections. This is because the bacteria on your dentures will multiply. The more bacteria there are in your mouth, the higher your chance of developing an infection. You can inhale the bacteria, causing an infection in your lungs.
Avoid Abrasive or Harsh Chemicals
To clean your dentures, you should avoid using abrasive cleaners. These can cause micro-scratches on the surface of your dentures. Unfortunately, this can increase your chances of infection. This is because bacteria will get into the scratches, making them difficult to clean. Also, because dentures go in your mouth, you should avoid harsh chemicals so that you don’t get sick.