You may know that tooth loss is common, but that doesn't mean you're okay with having a less-than-perfect smile. Luckily, there are many ways you can have your missing teeth replaced, and many Americans still prefer the convenience and low price of full or partial dentures.
However, even dentures require cleaning, and forgetting to do so can cause you a lot of pain. Check out these facts you should know about keeping your dentures clean.
Dentures Require Special Cleaning
Brushing your teeth alone can be so annoying people skip it, but cleaning your dentures requires a bit more work, which is why many patients neglect cleaning theirs regularly or at all. Ideally, you should rinse off your dentures after every meal. You'll also want to brush them once a day, but make sure to use a soft bristled brush so you don't scratch them.
Each night, you should soak the dentures in a special denture-cleaning solution. In the morning, make sure to wash off the dentures, so you don't put any of the chemicals from the solution in your body. Finally, make sure you also keep your mouth clean. Use a soft bristled brush to remove any plaque, bacteria, and food from your gums, cheeks, tongue, palate, etc.
Dirty Dentures Cause Bad Breath
If you don't brush your teeth, bacteria and rotting food start to turn your breath bad. The same thing happens if you forget to clean your dentures. Even though bacteria can't cause denture decay, it can lead to a slimy film on your dentures, which not only feels gross, but it also promotes smelly odors.
In some cases, a piece of food may have gotten stuck under the denture, where it can decay and cause bad breath. Rinsing your dentures can help, but you may be able to help avoid trapped food if you use denture adhesives. Denture adhesives help create a tighter seal, which prevents food from getting stuck under the dentures.
They Can Cause Sores
If food particles do get stuck to the part of the dentures that touch your gums, expect gum sores. This happens because the slight irritation can cut the skin, especially with the pressure from chewing. At first, you may not notice anything, but soon, an oral ulcer can appear.
Depending on the severity of the sore, you may want to avoid wearing your dentures while it heals. Either way, make sure you start keeping your dentures clean and removing them at night.
They May Cause Infection
It's not just painful sores that may develop from your dirty dentures. Infections are also common when you neglect to keep your mouth and/or dentures clean. The bacteria that can coat your dentures are a biofilm, and while many are relatively harmless, some can be dangerous. In fact, some denture patients may even develop MRSA from dirty dentures.
MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and if you breathe it into your lungs from your gums, it can lead to major infections. Some patients also develop thrush from too much yeast in the mouth. Thrush is less dangerous but leads to painful rashes on the gums or inside the mouth.
Dentures are a great invention that helps many Americans have the smile they want for an affordable price. However, just like you should care for your teeth well, you need to keep your dentures clean to prevent major complications, such as a MRSA infection.
If you would like to know more about dentures and how to keep yours clean and undamaged, contact usthe team at Dr. Gregory B. Halls today. We are here to help.
