No matter your reason for needing tooth extractions, getting dentures from your dentist is a great way to maintain the benefits of having natural teeth. However, without proper maintenance, they can lose their effectiveness. If you want to avoid problems and enjoy all the advantages that dentures can offer, you must be familiar with what you should and shouldn’t do when caring for them. 

Do: 

Clean them regularly. 

Rinse your dentures with warm water after eating, and brush plaque and food remnants off the surface daily so that they don’t get stained or attract harmful bacteria in your mouth. To prevent them from losing their shape, soak them in denture cleaning solution every night. Run them under lukewarm water to clean off the solution before putting them back in your mouth in the morning.

Take care of your mouth as well. 

Your gums can become sore or inflamed after holding your dentures all day, and your whole mouth is prone to gathering plaque and harmful bacteria. Brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush after removing your dentures at night.  

Keep visiting the dentist. 

See your dentist once every six months. It will reduce the odds that any serious problems will develop with your mouth or dentures, such as sores or swollen gums. Even if you wear the prosthetics, gum health is still crucial, so make sure to visit the dentist.

Don’t: 

Be rough with them. 

When cleaning your dentures, hold them gently. Chew your food slowly, on both sides of your mouth, and in small bites. Never bite down hard or tug at your food with them. If they don’t fit easily in your mouth, don’t push them, or they might break. Instead, have them fixed or replaced by your dentist.  

Be careless about what you put in your mouth. 

Hot water can warp your dentures, so allow only cold or warm water to touch them. Avoid damaging or weakening them with bleach, abrasive toothpastes, or stiff-bristled toothbrushes. Keep sharp objects away, such as toothpicks, as they can scratch the prosthetics and your mouth. 

Ignore discomfort or breakage. 

If they start to feel loose and won’t stay in your mouth, or if the plastic or clasps become damaged, your mouth or gums could be injured. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to have them repaired right away. 

 
To get more advice and maintenance for your dentures, visit the dentists at Main Street Dental in La Crosse County, WI. After more than 30 years of treating patients, they can ensure your oral health with their expertise in restorative dentistry, including state-of-the-art dental X-rays and denture molding services. They also offer other options for replacing your natural teeth, such as dental implants. For details, call (608) 784-4063 or check out their website.