Caring for Dentures
Spring Hill, FL
 A common solution for those missing teeth is dentures. Here at DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care, we are prepared to treat all types of oral care issues with expertise and compassion. When it comes to missing teeth, we would love to explore the potential options of dentures and dental implants with you. Consider if dentures may be a good solution for your missing teeth.
What are Dentures?
A denture is a removable tooth replacement. There are both partial and complete dentures. There are many types of dentures to fit a variety of needs, but two general categories of dentures are partial and complete. Partial dentures are used when only some natural teeth are missing. Typically, a partial denture will sit on a gum-colored appliance with a metal framework that clasps to your mouth.
In addition to filling in the gaps left by the missing tooth, the partial denture can help keep other teeth in place. Complete dentures or full dentures, replace an entire set of natural teeth while still being easily removable. Complete dentures fit on the gum line, secured by suction and possibly an oral adhesive.
Caring for Dentures
All types of dentures need regular care and maintenance. Having dentures does not mean you will not need to clean your teeth or schedule regular exams with our dentist. Dentures can still collect plaque and tartar, causing harm to your gums and overall oral health. They need to be cleaned daily, just as you would for normal teeth.
Ask us about a denture-safe toothbrush recommendation. This brush should be very soft. Electric toothbrushes are not good for dentures. You will need a denture cleaner as well. During your daily cleaning, remove your dentures and rinse them thoroughly. Gently brush your toothbrush with denture cleaner only, not regular toothpaste, then rinse again. Cleaning daily will also help your dentures preserve their coloring.
It is important to refrain from sleeping with your dentures to give your mouth a break, preserve the quality of your dentures, and help keep them clean. While sleeping, it is good practice to soak your dentures in warm water to keep them from drying out so they still adhere well to your mouth. Be careful the water is not hot, as that will cause your dentures to become misshapen.
Dentures are fragile, so please be careful when removing them for cleaning. It may be wise to stand over a towel or rug to soften the fall if dropped. If your denture does break, chip, or otherwise become misshapen, contact us right away and do not attempt to fix yourself. Dentures need extra delicate care.
While dentures need a little extra care, however, do not neglect to care for your gums and any remaining teeth. We will need to assess your individual situation to tell you how to care for your natural teeth and gums while using dentures. If you want to learn more about different types of dentures or find out if you are a good candidate for dentures, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here at DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care at (352) 666-9898 today. |
