You thought you were too young to need dentures until a dental emergency happened. Now that you have them, you're not quite sure what to do with them – other than put them in your mouth and wear them. Before you end up with mouth sores or dentures that have a foul odor, here are a few essential tips that will help you protect your mouth and your dentures.
Dentures Aren't a 24/7 Thing
Your mouth and your dentures need a break from each other. Keep your dentures in all day. However, when bedtime arrives, take your dentures out so your mouth can get a rest. Keeping your dentures in your mouth 24/7 can lead to serious problems, including
Bone loss
Misshapen gums
Mouth sores
Foul odors
You Still Need to Clean Your Mouth
Even if you've all of your natural teeth extracted, you'll still need to keep your mouth clean. Bacteria and germs can still build up in your mouth. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste three times a day to prevent mouth sores and bad breath.
Dentures Can Get Smelly
In addition to cleaning your mouth each day, your dentures will need to be cleaned too. If you don't clean your dentures, they can develop a plaque-like substance on them. In addition, your dentures have small grooves and indentations in them that are the perfect hiding place for odor-causing bacteria. To keep your dentures clean and smelling fresh, soak them overnight and brush them twice a day. Here's an easy denture-soak that will make cleaning them much easier.
Supplies You'll Need
Small bowl
Baking soda
Vinegar
Denture brush
Directions
Place your dentures in a small bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon baking soda to the bowl.
Pour enough vinegar into the bowl to cover your dentures.
Allow the vinegar and baking soda to foam.
Leave your dentures to soak overnight.
Brush your dentures with your denture brush and rinse them in clean water.
Take Care of Mouth Sores Quickly
The first few weeks of denture-wearing can be the most painful. If your dentures were placed in your mouth as soon as your teeth were extracted, your gums are going to be swollen. If you develop mouth sores, be sure to contact your dentist, one like Access Family Dental. They'll be able to adjust your dentures so they fit better. Rinse your mouth with salt water three times a day to reduce the pain and inflammation while your mouth heals.
Wearing dentures take some getting used to. Use these simple tips to help take care of your mouth and your dentures.
Share29 April 2015
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
