Whether you are a new denture wearer or have been wearing them for years, make 2016 the year that you resolve to take better care of your dentures. We all like to set goals, and there is no better time than the turn of a New Year to set an important goal. Perhaps you have already made one (or ten!) for 2016, but if you have not included taking care of your smile, we encourage you to do so.
At Georgia Denture & Implant Specialists, we are proud to help patients restore their smiles through dentures. We have helped countless patients regain confidence and comfort through our high quality denture services, and we want to help you protect and preserve your dentures for years to come. There are simple steps that you can resolve to take (or to continue) throughout 2016 that will help you get the most value and beauty from your dentures. Removable partial or full dentures require proper care to keep them clean and looking their best. Here are 8 simple steps that you can take to better care for your dentures:
- Remove and rinse your dentures after eating. While this may seem like a hassle, it really does not have to be. Simply slip off to the bathroom, remove your dentures, and rinse them under running water for thirty seconds. This helps to remove any food debris that has become attached to your dentures while eating, and it will help to keep your dentures free of unwanted smells and stains.
- Handle your dentures with care. Remember that your dentures are an investment, and that they are fragile. We always recommend putting a towel down on the counter or in the sink so that if you drop your dentures, they will not break.
- Brush your dentures daily. While you may be tempted to just take them out of your mouth and put them directly into a soaking solution, remember that your dentures need to be brushed in order to remove food, plaque, and other deposits from daily wear. It is also important for those who wear denture adhesive to clean the grooves that fit against the gums in order to remove adhesive that remains after taking them out of the mouth.
- Clean your mouth after removing your dentures. It is important that you still clean your mouth after you remove your dentures. Your tongue, cheek, gums, and the roof of your mouth are always susceptible to germs and bacteria, and they should be cleaned daily.
- Soak your dentures overnight, every night. Dentures need to remain moist in order to maintain their shape.
- Rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth in the morning. Soaking solutions can contain harmful chemicals, and they should be rinsed away so that you do not swallow them.
- Make sure you continue to visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist is still your mouth’s biggest advocate. It is important to visit the dentist at least once a year to make sure the inside of your mouth is healthy.
- Contact Georgia Denture & Implant Specialists if your dentures become loose or uncomfortable. Any improper fit can cause irritation, sores, and infection, and these should be avoided at all costs.
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