tips for adjusting to dentures

Getting dentures for the first time can be scary. After all, taking the step of replacing your natural teeth with removable ones can feel drastic. Remember that you're doing the best thing for your health and appearance. You no longer need to worry about your painful or damaged teeth and can rest easy knowing that today's modern dentures are comfortable, natural-looking, and customized to your face shape and preferences. Just follow these five tips for taking care of your new dentures to avoid any potential issues:

Clean Your Dentures Once a Day

Just like your natural teeth, dentures need to be brushed. Using a toothpaste made specifically for dentures and a soft bristled toothbrush, gently clean and then rinse your dentures once a day. Some people find that it's easier to thoroughly brush their dentures after removing them.

If you skip brushing your dentures, bacteria can form, and you may risk getting an oral yeast infection known as stomatitis. In addition, brushing your dentures each day will help keep your breath fresh and avoid staining. Even though your dentures aren't real teeth, they can still develop tartar buildup and stains if food particles aren't routinely brushed away.

Soak Dentures Each Night

It's important to purchase an overnight denture soak solution to use each night. You will simply dissolve the denture soak in a dish of warm water and leave your dentures in the water overnight. In the morning, be sure to rinse the dentures off before you place them back in your mouth.

A nightly soak will not only keep your dentures clean and in great condition, but will also give your mouth a gentle rest from wearing dentures. Denture soak solutions are designed to remove stains and kill bacteria, so you definitely don't want to skip this step.  

Be Gentle with Them

Dentures can be expensive, and the last thing you want is to crack or otherwise damage them and have to go through the hassle and expense of getting a replacement set. Just remember that dentures can break or become damaged if they are dropped or banged against a hard surface.

To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to set a soft towel or cloth down on your bathroom counter before removing your dentures from your mouth or from a bowl of cleaning solution. Be sure to keep them out of reach of small children, and teach family members that your dentures aren't to be touched by anyone except yourself.

Continue with Annual Dental Check-Ups

Even though you have dentures now, you still need to see your dentist once a year. Your dentist will check your gums for inflammation or other issues and also look for spots inside your mouth that could be indicative of some cancers. Plus, an annual dental check-up will give your dentist the opportunity to make sure your dentures are still undamaged, fitting comfortably, and not in need of any adjustments. Some dentists like to perform a thorough cleaning and brightening of your dentures once a year.   

Take Care of Your Gums

Teeth aren't the only important aspect of dental care: you also need to take good care of your gums, and this continues to be the case after you get dentures. It's a good idea to rinse your gums daily with water to remove food particles. You can also massage them with a soft cloth in order to reduce inflammation. If your dentures irritate your gums at all, make an appointment with your dentist right away: they may need to be adjusted to fit better.

By following these tips, you will soon find that managing your new dentures is easy and that your quality of life is higher. For more information about what to expect from dentures, contact a company like Milner Dentistry.