The most common mistake in the care of dentures is throwing them into a glass of water overnight. Coffee and tea deposits, tartar and food particles collect on the denture, so clean the denture properly every day. See how to properly care for a denture to keep it in good condition for as long as possible and avoid gum disease.
Maintaining proper hygiene of the dentures is important for he alth, aesthetics and maintaining a neutral odor from the mouth. Uncleaned dentures change the taste of food, and the microporous acrylic structures harbor bacteria and fungi.
Particularly the gingival area of crowns and bridges requires attention due to the tendency to accumulate plaque and difficulties in cleaning it. Removable dentures should be cleaned thoroughly after each meal, at least twice a day.
An important thing is the denture fixing cream, which is to improve its retention in the mouth for as long as possible. The fixing cream is applied in such a way that it is applied to a dry or wet denture, which is then kept pressed against the palate and gums for a few seconds. The soft layer that forms between the gums and the denture provides fixation, alleviates symptoms associated with rubbing against the gums, and prevents food debris from accumulating underneath the denture.
Clean dentures after each meal.
Each denture is a foreign body in the mouth and can adversely affect the tissues of this area. The most common problems that may occur during the use of the prosthesis are: irritation, inflammation and the related discomfort and pain. Mechanical irritation or damage to the tissues of the oral cavity is the result of mismatching dentures or their defects, but pain can also be caused by well-chosen dentures, new or used for several years, but not causing any problems so far.
In the case of the first ailments resulting from the necessity to adjust the tissues to the foreign body, in older restorations, however, incomplete adhesion may appear, then the loose denture may begin to rub the mucosa.
Any pain related to the use of dentures should not be underestimated, but if a new restoration is placed, unpleasant ailments are normal at the beginning of use and should disappear afterthe period of adaptation to the new prosthesis.
Depending on the type of prosthesis and individual feelings, the adaptation process may take up to several weeks. If the pain persists, the use of the prosthesis is impossible, or the symptoms worsen, you should see a dentist immediately.
You can help yourself temporarily by using ready-made preparations available at the pharmacy, in the form of a soothing and regenerating gel, which has a coating effect and protects the oral mucosa against pain resulting from irritations.
Daily care for dentures
1.Take your denture out overnight for at least 6-8 hours. Using the prosthesis all the time may cause inflammation of the mucosa.
2.Store the denture in a dry, airtight container. Holding it in a glass of water promotes the growth of fungi and bacteria, which are difficult to remove completely during washing, because acrylic is a porous material.
3.Wash all surfaces of the denture thoroughly - it is best to use double-sided denture brushes, which, thanks to properly shaped bristles, allow you to clean even hard-to-reach places. Toothpaste contains abrasive substances that make the surface of the prosthesis rough, and then a deposit, e.g. coffee or tea, forms on it faster. Therefore, avoid washing your dentures with a toothpaste that is not intended for cleaning dentures. Please note that pharmacies offer toothpastes for the daily hygiene of dentures.
4.Daily care of dentures with cleaning pastes, tablets and powders is recommended. Do not use hydrogen peroxide for this, as it will discolour the acrylic.
5.Take good care of your oral cavity, even with toothlessness. Clean your tongue with a toothbrush, use mouthwashes or water to remove food particles. You can also gently massage your gums with a soft brush to stimulate blood circulation.
When to replace a denture with a new one?
Standard dentures should be replaced at least every 5 years.
It is worth remembering, however, that changes in the jaw of each denture user occur at a different rate, therefore it is recommended to visit a prosthetist regularly to verify the appropriate time for denture replacement.
According to an expertMaciej Nowak, MD, PhD, periodontist, dentist, lecturer at the Medical University of Warsaw"Patients with residual or edentulous restorations should brush their teeth or alveolar processes and the surface of their tongue twice a day. Implants require brushing them after each meal.
The use of an electric toothbrush,pulse, will increase brushing efficiency, but regardless of the type of brush (manual or electric), make sure to brush with a soft or medium brush, and most importantly - dry, not previously soaked in warm water.
Special irrigators are also helpful in cleaning hard-to-reach places ".
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