Dentures may resemble real teeth in appearance, feel, and function, yet they demand a unique level of care to maintain their integrity and your oral health, and this means breaking any bad habits.
We’re here to give you the low down on which bad habits need to be tackled when you start to wear dentures to make sure they last long and your oral hygiene is in top condition.
1. Not cleaning dentures properly
Just like real teeth, your dentures need to be cleaned daily!
Neglecting your denture cleaning routine can lead to bad oral hygiene leading to bad breath, gum irritation, oral infections and more! So, regularly clean your dentures with a soft brush, mild denture cleaner and some water to get rid of any buildup of plaque, bacteria and food particles from throughout the day.
2. Using harsh cleaning agents
While we just discussed how cleaning is crucial for denture wearers, we’ve got to warn you – stay away from harsh cleaning agents! Chemicals like bleach can damage your precious dentures, causing discoloration and weakening of the materials, leading to costly denture repairs and replacements!
So… opt for cleaners recommended by your dental clinician ONLY and you can keep your dentures squeaky clean and increase their longevity.
3. Skipping dental check-ups
Your dental clinician will invite you for post-dental check-ups to make sure your dentures and fitting properly, and detect if there are any issues which can be addressed promptly.
Even if you feel like your dentures are doing fine, it’s important to let a professional check.
Neglecting dental appointments can result in ill-fitting dentures, gum inflammation, and other untreated problems. Make it a habit to visit your dental clinician as recommended for routine examinations and adjustments.
4. Chewing on hard or sticky foods
Here at Kevin Manners, we provide the best quality dentures the market has to offer, but even the best dentures need looking after. It’s important to know that there are things you can’t eat with dentures, although they’re sturdy, they can be damaged by hard or sticky foods like ice or chewing gum. Excessive pressure from these foods can lead to damage which may require replacement or repairs!
5. Using denture adhesives excessively
While denture adhesives can enhance stability and comfort, overuse can be harmful and can make issues worse. Excessive adhesive use may mask fit issues and make it challenging to clean dentures properly. This can increase the risk of oral health problems over time.
6. Not removing dentures at night
While one night might not hurt, repeatedly sleeping in dentures can be damaging to your gums and oral health. When your dentures are resting on your gums all day, they’re restricting air flow and adding pressure on sensitive oral tissues and causing bacterial growth.
At night, you need to give these tissues time to breathe and repair for the next day by removing dentures, this will make your gums strong for the next day.
7. Smoking or vaping
Both smoking and vaping pose significant risks to oral health, staining dentures and contributing to gum disease, oral cancer, and other health issues that you don’t want! The chemicals in cigarettes and vapes can also delay and impact the healing process of denture procedures, so avoiding them can improve your treatment process.
Listen to the experts
By breaking these bad habits and adopting good oral hygiene practices, denture wearers can be sure they’re maintaining optimal oral health while wearing dentures.
Consult with Kevin Manners for personalised advice, regular check-ups and emergency denture repairs – achieve a healthy and confident smile with us.