How to Extend the Life of Your Dentures
Some patients are concerned about how often they will need to get their dentures refitted or purchase new dentures entirely. The answer depends on many factors including the patient’s age, health, state of their natural teeth, type of denture, and more.
With that being said, you should reasonably expect your dentures to last a minimum of 5 years with proper maintenance and visits to your denture professional. For younger and healthy individuals, you may be able to get as long as 10 years from your new dentures.
Dentures are a tool that people use every single day. Like our natural teeth, they will wear down and stain over time. This is an expected outcome and your dentures may need to be relined or repaired at some point in their lifetime.
Let’s examine a few ways you can extend the life of your dentures and get the most value for your money.
Choose The Right Denture
Choosing the right denture is critical to long term success. The best dentures are those that fit comfortably and allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
There are many different kinds of dentures including partial, complete, complex, lower suction, denture over implants, and more. Read more about The Denture & Implant Centre’s many fantastic products here.
During your free consultation, one of our friendly denturists will examine your mouth and walk you through the best options for your health and budget.
Regardless of which product you choose, they’re all custom-made to maximize comfort and stability.
Regular Cleaning
Another key way to extend the life of your dentures is to keep proper cleaning and maintenance habits. As we mentioned above, dentures endure wear and tear like our natural teeth — and need similar care.
In a perfect world, dentures should be removed and cleaned after every meal. We understand that a thorough cleaning may not always be possible — but at least try to give them a rinse after every meal.
Failing to clean your dentures allows bacteria to build up. Bacteria can lead to oral infections — infections that are often painful and can cause long term changes in your jaw.
Remove Your Dentures While You Sleep
Additionally, it’s important to remove your dentures while you sleep. Sleeping with your dentures causes unnecessary inflammation that can accelerate shrinkage in your jaw.
Shrinkage in the jaw as a result of tooth loss is a natural process known as bone resorption. However, you can reduce the rate of bone resorption by making a habit of removing your dentures every evening.
Handle With Care
One of the most common causes of denture damage we see is from patients dropping them while cleaning. Accidents happen — if you need to remove your dentures for any reason, be sure to handle them with care.
An easy way to reduce the risk of damage is to place a soft, folded towel underneath the dentures while you clean. In the unfortunate event that they are dropped, the towel will hopefully save them from severe damage.
See Your Denture Professional Regularly
You will almost certainly require relines or adjustments during the life of your denture. This is simply due to the fact that the shape of your mouth will change over time.
If you notice any discomfort or pain, it’s important to schedule a visit with The Denture & Implant Centre as soon as possible. Many small issues can be resolved with ease — long before they become problematic.
Do you have more questions about life with dentures? Contact our Red Deer offices today to learn more about our professional denture services.
