In Australia, by the time you’re 65, there is a 1 in 5 chance that you will have no natural teeth at all.
But almost half of all over-65 wear dentures, while 1 in 10 Australians over the age of 15 also need to rely on some sort of ‘false teeth’.
With this kind of widespread prevalence of dentures in Australia, it’s important to look after them so that they last longer, don’t smell or stain, always look and perform like new, and they don’t damage your mouth or health.
Here’s our guide as to how to look after your dentures:
1. Insert and Remove them Correctly
Insertion differs among the various different kinds of dentures, so ensure that when the professional is showing you how, you pay attention.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and if you get home and you aren’t sure you’re doing it right, make an appointment to go back and be sure.
2. Take it Slow
When you’re getting used to your dentures, understand that you’re on a learning curve. Don’t force it when you’re putting in or taking out your dentures and adapt slowly to how you bite and chew certain foods.
3. Store them Right
Dentures should be taken out before bed, which is important to give your mouth and jaw a break and to protect your dentures while you are asleep.
4. Clean them right
Make sure to clean your dentures daily and properly with a soft toothbrush, a mild and specific cleaning agent, and store them according to your instructions. Don’t forget to gently clean your mouth, too.
5. Get a Thorough Clean Done
While at-home daily cleaning is crucial, sometimes those routines are not enough. If you notice you’re struggling to clean them completely, soak your dentures in a vinegar solution. If they still won’t clean up, make an appointment for a professional clean.
6. Be Careful when Cleaning
Not only cleaning is important, but care when cleaning. When using that soapy water, it’s easy to slip, so fill a sink with water so that if your dentures slip out of your grasp, you hear a ‘plop’ rather than a ‘bang!’
7. Have a regular checkup
Just as you should always schedule a regular visit to the dentist to care for your natural teeth, the same applies for your dentures. As you get older, you’ll notice that your mouth will change too, affecting the perfect fit of your dentures.
8. Get an Adjustment
So about once a year, a dental professional should check to see if your dentures are still the perfect fit and perform adjustments if necessary.
You should get these checks even if it feels like your dentures fit perfectly well because you could catch an issue early before it causes any noticeable symptoms.
These checks are particularly important if you drop or suspect damage has been sustained to your dentures.
9. Be vigilant
Remember, you should never attempt to do these adjustments yourself, as getting it wrong could not only be uncomfortable, it could do serious and even permanent damage to your oral health.
Watch out for signs of ill-fitting dentures, such as a decline in wearing comfort, bad breath, mouth soreness or cuts.
Contact us today and we’ll help you with your dentures!
CALL US TODAY: (02) 4868 1933