Whether partial or complete, your dentures require daily maintenance and upkeep. Although denture care is relatively easy, choosing the right products and techniques may not be. Fortunately, our restorative dentists are here to help.
At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, we take great pride in teaching our patients how to properly care for their dentures. But, even with the proper care, patients should get their dental restorations checked regularly to assess their fit and function. Get your restorations checked today by our team in Woolgoolga, or Coffs Harbour, NSW, by sending our team an appointment request online.
Meanwhile, let’s test your knowledge about denture care. You might be surprised to learn that your dentures aren’t as healthy as they can be.
You should rinse your dentures after snacks, meals, and sugary drinks.
- True
- False
Answer
True. Patients should remove and rinse their dentures with warm (never hot!) water after eating snacks or meals or after drinking sugary beverages. Not rinsing dentures after eating and drinking leaves patients vulnerable to bacterial overgrowth, irritation, and infection.
You should wear dentures while sleeping.
- True
- False
Answer
False. Dental professionals recommend removing dentures nightly to disinfect the appliances in an overnight soaking solution. Nightly removal also gives the gums time to rest and recover, which limits the risk of contact ulcers in the mouth.
You should soak, disinfect, and remove denture stains with bleach.
- True
- False
Answer
False. Patients should never use bleach or bleach-containing products to soak or clean dentures. Bleach can weaken the appliance, which can alter its performance and the way it feels in the mouth. Additionally, bleach can change the color of restorations in unpredictable and unappealing ways.
Instead, patients should use dentist-approved denture cleansers, like these safe and effective products.
Whitening toothpastes can brighten a dull denture.
- True
- False
Answer
False. Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that can scratch the surface of dentures. These micro-scratches can worsen stains and rob restorations of their lifelike shine.
Patients should use hydrogen peroxide and a soft-bristled toothbrush to lift stains from the appliance without damaging it.
You need to continue brushing your mouth after getting dentures.
- True
- False
Answer
True. Even though patients may have no natural teeth remaining, they should still brush their mouths every day. Brushing the gums, tongue, and hard palate keeps bacteria at bay while also removing denture adhesive and other irritants from the mouth.
A dentist should assess the fit and function of a denture yearly.
- True
- False
Answer
True. Experts recommend dental checkups every six to 12 months to keep dentures working comfortably and effectively. In fact, regular dental checkups at Magic Smiles can help patients keep their restorations functioning optimally for 15 years or longer!
Considering dentures? Schedule a consultation today!
Don’t let tooth loss keep you from enjoying your life to the fullest. Contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre today to discuss your restorative options.
Patients can conveniently reach one of three locations by submitting an online appointment request here.
