Ways to Keep Your Dentures in Excellent Condition

If you need dental prosthetics, dentures are an excellent way to replace missing teeth, whether you need to replace one or several. Fortunately, the dentures of today have improved significantly upon the older models and are now more comfortable and more secure than ever. You even have options between ones that are removable or affixed. We can make sure they look completely natural and feel good to wear. Then it is up to you to keep them in good condition. If you do, they could last for five years or longer.

Here are a few tips to try at home:

Handle them carefully. It is possible for your dentures to break if dropped. Be sure to keep them in good condition by handling them carefully and resting them on a clean towel once you have taken them out. You want to avoid accidentally dropping them or knocking them off the counter, since this could cause them to break or chip.

Brush daily. You need to keep your dentures clean just like natural teeth. To do so, use a soft toothbrush and brush gently with water. Be sure to avoid a brush with hard bristles and do not use traditional toothpaste, since both can cause them to become scratched.

Use a special dentures cleaning device. There are small cleaning devices that can be used to clean your dentures so they can be sparkling and white. All you need to do is place them inside with the special cleaning solution. The device works using ultrasound technology, though it cannot replace daily brushing.

Soak them nightly. It is important to keep your dentures moist, and to do so, remove them nightly and place them in either a soaking solution or water. Which one is right for your dentures will be based on the type of dentures you wear and whether or not they have metal clasps. We will give you specific guidance when you come into our office.

When you visit our dental office, we can provide you with further instruction regarding how to keep your dentures in excellent condition. Our goal is for you to maintain the ability to smile with confidence, eat your favorite foods, and speak clearly – all things a well-fitting prosthetic can provide. During regular appointments, we will examine your gums and check to see how well your dentures are fitting. These regular examinations are important since it is possible for your jawbone to change, causing your dentures to no longer fit properly. Since the process of resorption naturally occurs after tooth loss, your jaw can essentially shrink, and as it does, your dentures can become loose. If this is the case, you could develop sores or have the inconvenience of having your dentures slip out of place. We can help to prevent this by discussing your other options like fixed dentures or even dental implants. To learn more about the prosthetic solutions available to you, call and schedule an appointment today.

Emergency Dentist  >  Dental Fillings

Common Questions Answered About Periodontics

Have you heard of the term "Periodontics"?  If not, you are like many of our patients. This area of dentistry focuses on the health of the gums. It is not widely known, and so most people go about their oral hygiene routine without ever thinking about it. In fact, if you were to ask most people what oral health issue they were concerned about, the most common answer would be cavities. It is rare for people to think about their gum health, but this is actually one of the most important functions of a dentist – keeping your gums healthy.

The majority of adults will experience red and swollen gums at some point in their lifetime with many adults getting gingivitis or more serious periodontal disease. It normally occurs when plaque and tartar get trapped underneath the gum tissue, on top of the tooth. Since this area is impossible to clean at home, it remains there, causing immense irritation. The gums respond by swelling, bleeding and becoming uncomfortable. They may also start to recede or pull away from the teeth, creating pockets in the gum tissue.

What is the risk of my gums receding?

Since gum recession exposes the lower structure and roots of your tooth, these areas can become infected. When this happens, you can experience bone loss, your teeth becoming loose, and eventually tooth loss. Statistically, gum disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss so if you don’t want to end up wearing dentures, you need to pay attention to the health of your gums.  Periodontics is focused on gum health so we can often prevent tooth loss down the road.

If my gums are receding, how can they be treated?

The first thing we need to do is clean the area by removing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar. This is done with a deep cleaning that is sometimes completed in four separate appointments to ensure that you remain comfortable. If the disease is isolated to one area, that will make it faster. Once the irritant (plaque) has been removed it becomes time to work on the gums themselves. There are several ways to restore the gums, and since every patient is different, periodontics can make a specific recommendation during your dental exam.

What you can do at home.

If you want to prevent the need for a deep cleaning or restorative gum procedure, you should be careful to brush your teeth in a circular motion, moving the plaque towards the center of your mouth and away from your gums. Flossing is also an important tool in fighting gum disease since plaque can become trapped in between the teeth. In our dental office, we understand that some of our patients do not enjoy flossing. There are flossing tools that you can purchase to make the job easier. They sell them at the local drugstore. Those that still do not want to floss should consider using an electric toothbrush since they can do a better job of getting your teeth clean than a traditional toothbrush would. Additionally, keeping regular teeth cleaning appointments is one of the best defenses you have against gum disease.