If you are missing teeth, it is likely that you have partial or complete dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of your natural teeth are missing, which is the case for 1 in 15 Canadian adults under 80, while partial dentures, or bridges, are used when you are missing one to a few teeth. Both types of dentures however do need special care.
At Forest Lawn Dental Centre, Dr. Sandhu and his staff treat patients of all ages, providing both general dental care and cosmetic procedures for the whole family, including partial and full dentures as well as dental implants if and when needed. Caring for your oral health means caring for the apparatuses in your mouth as well from braces through to dentures. To ensure your dentures remain in good care, here’s a few tips to consider from the world famous Mayo Clinic: • Remove and rinse dentures after eating to remove food debris and other loose particles. For safety, a towel on the counter or in the sink or put some water in the sink so the dentures won’t break if you drop them – especially if you are a new user. • Handle your dentures carefully, don’t bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning. • Clean your mouth after removing your dentures using a soft-bristled toothbrush on natural teeth, tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth. • Brush your dentures at least daily with a nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque, denture adhesive, and other deposits. Do not use denture cleansers in your mouth. • Soak dentures overnight so dentures remain moist and keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Check with your dentist about properly storing your dentures overnight. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on cleaning and soaking solutions. • Rinse dentures before putting them back in your mouth, especially if using a denture-soaking solution. These solutions can contain harmful chemicals that cause vomiting, pain or burns if swallowed. While there are many things to do to properly care for your dentures, to ensure their longevity there are also a number of items to avoid: • Abrasive cleaning materials - avoid stiff-bristled brushes, strong cleansers and harsh toothpaste, as these are too abrasive and can damage your dentures. • Whitening toothpastes are especially abrasive and should be avoided on dentures. • Bleach-containing products because these can weaken dentures and change their color. Don’t soak dentures with metal attachments in solutions that contain chlorine because it can tarnish and corrode the metal. • Avoid hot or boiling water - it could warp your dentures. Like any health intervention, you should schedule regular dental checkups to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned, as well as for checking the inside of your mouth to make sure it’s healthy. If your dentures become loose, see your dentist promptly. Loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection. At Forest Lawn Dental Centre, you can feel confident that your family will be treated professionally and with the utmost care including dentures. To discuss your oral health and denture options, call Forest Lawn Dental Centre at 403-248-7778 today or drop by our Calgary dental office to schedule an appointment. We are located near major bus routes, and we offer free parking.