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Four Tips for Making Your Dentures Last

Wearing dentures allows you to restore your smile and eat what you want, even if you have missing teeth. Investing in a good pair of dentures is only the beginning; you need to make sure you take good care of them so they last. Here are some tips for making your dentures last as long as possible.

Clean the Dentures Regularly

It is very important that you keep up with cleaning your dentures thoroughly. You should clean your dentures just as often as you used to brush your teeth by removing them and scrubbing them twice a day. Either use water alone or a denture cleaning solution. Your dentist can give you recommendations for cleaners that are appropriate for dentures. Never use regular soap or detergent on the dentures, or any cleaner not approved by your dentist. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the inside and outside of the dentures. It is also a good idea to remove the dentures after each meal and snack to rinse them and get rid of bacteria. By keeping them clean, you reduce having to replace them prematurely due to bacteria build-up.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

It is equally important to keep your mouth clean when you have dentures to remove your mouth bacteria. If you clean the dentures but don't keep your gums clean, that bacteria can build up and cause damage to the dentures when you wear them. When you take out the dentures, set them in a safe place and gently brush your gums with a soft toothbrush and water. Also brush your tongue thoroughly. Make sure it is a different toothbrush than the one you use to clean your dentures. The bristles should be even softer when used on your gums than the ones used on the dentures.

Treat the Dentures Gently

It is can be tempting to set the dentures down too hard or to store them in the wrong place since they seem durable, but this is going to gradually damage them. They might not last as long if you are not rinsing the dentures and placing them in a dentures case. Avoid keeping the dentures on your bathroom counter where not only could bacteria transfer to the dentures, but they could get broken accidentally. It is also a good idea to keep them out of your mouth when you are sleeping. This helps prevent the dentures from falling out during sleep and getting damaged, as well s avoiding illnesses related to wearing the dentures.

Make sure you also visit your dentist on a regular basis so the dentist can inspect the dentures. They might need to be adjusted if you experience bone loss, which is common when you don't have natural teeth.


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