Tips For New Denture Patients

Dentures are an effective tooth replacement option for patients that have lost all or many of their natural teeth. While dentures are not a new treatment option, patients are often unaware of what they should expect when they are utilizing this approach to tooth replacement.

Minimize Your Use Of Dental Adhesive Products

When a patient first receives their dentures, they will often be tempted to use denture adhesives. These products can help to hold the dentures in place, but patients should typically minimize their use of these products. Repeated use can lead to a higher risk of developing gum irritations or infections. These products can also make the dentures far more difficult to clean, as they will be extremely sticky. This can greatly increase the amount of cleaning that your dentures will require. Properly fitted dentures should be able to securely and comfortably rest in your mouth. However, it can take several days to acclimate to the sensation of wearing your new dentures.

Keep The Dentures Clean

Properly and thoroughly cleaning the dentures each day is the single-most important thing that a patient can do for these devices. Unfortunately, individuals will often slack on cleaning their dentures due to the fact that dentures cannot develop cavities. However, it is possible for dentures to develop a layer of bacteria that can be transferred to the patient's gums. This can contribute to the patient developing painful gum disease. Also, patients that fail to properly clean and sanitize their dentures can experience chronic bad breath or foul tastes in the mouth. To combat these issues, patients should both brush their dentures and soak them in a sanitizing solution at the end of each day.

Appreciate The Benefits Of Regularly Having The Dentures Adjusted

Over the course of using your dentures, they can gradually become slightly warped. To keep them securely fitted to your mouth, it is important to have them adjusted by your dentist on a regular basis. For most patients, these adjustments will only be needed on a yearly basis, and they can significantly improve the results the patient gets from their dentures. In addition to accounting for the dentures warping, these adjustments are also needed to account for changes in your gum lines. Fortunately, the entire process of adjusting your dentures will be very brief. If you received your dentures from your normal dentist, they may be able to perform this maintenance for you during your regular checkups.