While your dental care routine has likely changed since you began wearing dentures, you should still be concerned about gum disease. Periodontal disease irritates gums and makes wearing dentures uncomfortable at best, but a few preventive measures can protect the integrity of the tissue. Below are a few tips to keep your gums healthy.

Dental Care Advice for Dentures to Prevent Gum Disease

1. Brush Your Gums After Wearing Them

Food particles can become trapped between your dentures and your gums, attracting bacteria. When you remove your dentures, brush your gums to remove food particles and debris. Brushing also encourages healthy blood flow to your gums, lessening irritation caused by your dentures.

2. Keep Dentures Clean

Clean your dentures as your dentist recommends. Rinse them off after each snack, and brush them at least once a day to prevent bacteria growth. Soak your dentures in a cleansing solution when you’re not wearing them to prevent them from drying out. When dentures become dry, they’re prone to breaks and cracks, creating a rough surface that rubs your gums raw, traps food, and collects bacteria that may lead to periodontal disease.

3. Stay Hydrated

Your saliva contains compounds that fight the bacteria that cause periodontal disease, and it helps regulate your mouth’s pH balance, lessening gum irritation. As you age, your salivary glands produce less saliva, and you could be prescribed medications that cause dry mouth. These factors can be exacerbated by dentures, which can also cause dry mouth, especially when worn for extended periods. Increase your water intake and eat foods that make you salivate to combat dry mouth symptoms, and speak with your dentist about other solutions.

When you need dental care to keep your gums healthy, the expert team at Tohill Dentistry in Somerset, KY, will help. With 38 years of experience, their dentist performs high-quality services, including cleanings, crowns, and more. This family-owned business emphasizes patient relationships, and they get to know you to provide treatments appropriate for your preferences and lifestyle. Whether you need oral hygiene advice or a cleaning, they’ll use the best of modern technology and knowledge to deliver a superior standard of care. Learn about their dental care services online, then call (606) 679-4450 to schedule an appointment.