Four Tips to Make Taking Care of Your Dentures a Breeze

The step towards a brighter, more complete smile through dentures isn't always an easy one to make, especially if you have no idea how to take care of your new teeth after you get them. To ensure that your dentures stay in great condition, you'll need to figure out the best way to take care and avoid damaging them.

If you're looking for a simple guide to make the prospect of taking care of your new dentures seem less daunting, then here are a few suggestions to keep those pearly whites safe and clean.

In order to prevent your dentures from cracking and breaking, youshould take a few precautions during the day to ensure that they don't get damaged. For example, when cleaning your dentures in the sink, ensure that the sink is either filled with water or lined with a few towels to prevent your dentures from cracking if you accidentally drop them.

In addition, dry dentures can fracture easily, so it's a good idea to keep your dentures in a glass of water or denture solution while you're not wearing them at night. Finally, make sure you're washing your dentures with warm rather than hot water. Hot water can cause your dentures to warp, which can prevent them from fitting properly in your mouth.

Using the proper tools to clean your dentures can keep them in pristine condition for as long as possible. Hard bristles can be too abrasive for your dentures, so ensure you're using a soft-bristled denture brush to avoid scratching the surface of your dentures. Regular toothpaste can also be abrasive, so it's a good idea to use denture paste instead.

You may even want to use an ultrasonic cleaner for your dentures, which uses waves of sound to remove any food particles off of your dentures without the possibility of damaging them. Look for products endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA) to be sure that the tool you're using is really the best tool for the job.

Even if your dentures themselves are sparklingly clean, you still have to pay attention to the rest of your mouth to ensure your dentures don't come into contact with damaging bacteria. Make sure to brush your gums, cheeks, soft palate and any remaining teeth you have in the morning and at night.

If your toothbrush is too rough, you can use gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean areas of your mouth. To go the extra mile, you can swish with a salt-water solution or mouthwash to kill any bacteria you might have missed and leave your mouth clean and smelling fresh.

Sometimes, through no fault of your own, dentures can become misaligned or otherwise broken. When this happens, don't worry, your dentist can repair or reline your set of dentures quickly and effectively, which prevents you from needing to purchase an entirely new set.

Even if the damage seems small or your dentures aren't damaged at all, dentists recommend that you get your dentures relined every one to two years. The denture reline process helps to protect your gums, strengthen your dentures' structure and prevent damage, among other benefits.