Denture problems and adjustment issues are one of the most frequently heard dental complaints. But, what actually causes these problems is often overlooked. Improper denture care or negligence in denture maintenance is the most common reason why people face denture adjustment problems and other denture-related oral health issues.
To understand the different ways patients can avoid denture-related problems, here are some useful tips for ensuring proper denture maintenance.
Careful Handling is Essential
The first rule of proper denture maintenance is handling the dentures carefully. The ideal strategy is standing over a towel or a sink filled with water while handling dentures.
Proper Denture Cleaning
Many patients don’t realize that dentures need proper and regular brushing just like natural teeth to avoid plaque buildup. Regular tooth brushing is also important to keep the dentures from permanent staining. Dentists recommend using brushes that have soft bristles for denture cleaning.
Brushing with hard-bristled toothbrushes can cause significant damage to the dentures. All denture surfaces should be gently brushed to avoid damage to the bend attachments or denture plastic. Also, rinsing dentures in between meals is extremely important.
Using Denture Cleaners
Although hand soaps or gentle dish-washing solutions can be used for denture cleaning, it is best to avoid household cleaners or ordinary toothpastes without dental advice. A majority of these cleaners are considered extremely abrasive for dentures and therefore, their use should be avoided.
A good option to ensure proper denture cleaning is using ultrasonic cleaners, which are small devices containing special cleaning solutions. Dentures are first immersed in the tub-like device where sound waves are created to dislodge any unneeded deposits. However, it is important to note that ultrasonic cleaners aren’t a substitute to regular tooth-brushing.
Denture Maintenance When Not In Use
When dentures aren’t being used, it is important to keep them moist. This avoids the dentures from drying out or losing their shape. When not being worn, dentures need to be placed in denture cleansers or in water. But, if there are metal attachments on the dentures, these attachments may get tarnished if soaking solutions are used. Therefore, seeking dental advice to learn how dentures should be maintained and cleaned is very helpful.
Seeking Professional Dental Help When Needed
If there are any issues with the adjustment of the dentures, professional dental help should be immediately sought. In most cases, follow-up appointments are arranged by the dentist to make any adjustments that are needed for proper fit. Trying to self-adjust or fix dentures can lead to permanent denture damage, and therefore, should not be done under any circumstances.
Problems with denture adjustment can cause mouth sores or gum irritation. If a denture has chipped, broken or cracked, professional dental help is the only way to restore the denture back to its proper form. While denture problems can be fixed in a day or two, some complicated cases may require more time, especially when the dentures are forwarded to dental labs for repair.
For more information please feel free to Contact Brighton Implant Clinic or Call us on 0800 111 6623 .