The History of Dentistry

How You Can Get Used to Living with Dentures

12 September 2018

Regina Carlson

If your dentist has recommended that you get a full set of dentures due to some extensive tooth deterioration over the years, you may have become resigned to this option. In fact, you may be looking forward to a new lease of life. Certainly, these dentures will allow you to reclaim all your functionality and be proud of your smile once again, but you do need to look after them very carefully. What type of measures should you take to maximise your experience?

Taking a Break

Dentures are not designed to be worn around the clock, and you should give your mouth plenty of time to recover each day. Experts recommend seven or eight hours, and this can perfectly coincide with your sleep time with little extra effort on your part.

Daily and Weekly Routine

Remember, bacteria and germs will build up, and your dentures will attract tartar and plaque just like regular teeth. Consequently, you should make sure that you soak them in warm water with a special compound added to eliminate those stains.

You will need to extend your cleaning regimen if you are to extend the life of your new dentures. Soaking by itself is not enough, and you should clean them carefully every day, just as you would if you still had your original teeth. Nevertheless, always get a special cleaning brush and be particularly careful when you deal with the area around your gums, so you don't irritate them and cause a possible infection.

Some people decide to massage their gums when their dentures are out, and you can use a washcloth that you soak in water for this purpose. This will help you get used to your dentures, especially during the first few weeks and months.

Dealing with Change

If you can feel any changes to the way that they fit, then you should get in touch with your dentist to discuss the matter. The shape of your bone and gum structure is going to change with time, and you may need to get an adjustment if the dentures don't fit as well anymore.

Exercising Care

While your dentures may well become familiar as time goes by, this is no excuse to be blasé when it comes to careful handling. In particular, you should take care when you take them in or out and always do so when you're over a soft surface.

Dealing with Damage

Despite your best attention, accidents do happen, and you may be unlucky enough to drop your dentures onto a hard surface. If this happens, don't be surprised if they pick up some damage, as they are quite vulnerable, but the good news is that there are experts available to help fix this. Ask your dentist about denture repairs, and they can put you in touch with some technicians if they can't do the repairs themselves.

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