Bad Habits: A Few Things To Avoid Doing With Dentures
If you’re brand new to the world of dentures, it might take a few weeks to adjust to your new teeth. With a little bit of practice and proper care, it’ll start to feel like your dentures aren’t even there.
However, it’s important to maintain good habits and maintenance routine in order to keep your dentures looking fresh and fitting properly. Once you’ve become accustomed to dentures, it can be easy to fall into a few bad habits.
If you want your dentures to fit comfortably and last as long as possible, it’s important that you avoid the bad habits listed below.
1. Not Wearing Them Regularly
This is one of the most common bad habits people fall into once they’ve gotten used to their new dentures.
Even if you’re planning on having a lazy day around the house, it’s crucial that you wear your dentures. If your dentures are left out, they can become dry which makes them more prone to damage and warping.
Wearing your dentures also helps your mouth get used to them. If you’re wearing your dentures irregularly, you may find that your mouth is sore and inflamed more frequently.
With that being said it’s also important to give your mouth a break from time to time.
2. Not Taking Them Out While You Sleep
Dentures aren’t designed to be worn 24/7. The best time to give your mouth and dentures a bit of a break is when you go to bed.
Many people forget (or neglect) to take their dentures out before bed. Leaving your dentures in overnight allows bacteria to find more places to hide, which can lead to infections and bad breath.
Wearing your dentures overnight can also cause inflammation, which may increase the rate of bone loss in your jaw.
3. Not Cleaning Them Regularly
Daily cleanings prevent the build of germs, bacteria, and plaque — all of which increase the risk of bad breath, the chance of infection, and stained teeth.
If you want to increase the life of your dentures, it’s critical that you clean them daily. Regular cleaning ensures that your dentures stay looking (and smelling) as fresh as the day you got them.
4. Improper Cleaning
Some people simply toss their dentures in a glass of water and call it a day. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough to effectively kill bacteria and remove plaque and stains.
You can also damage your dentures if you use:
- Toothpaste to clean them — Toothpaste has abrasive materials that can scratch the surface of your dentures, giving bacteria more places to hide.
- A toothbrush with hard bristles — Hard bristles also tend to scratch and damage your dentures.
- Hot water — Dentures aren’t made to withstand excessive heat. Hot water can deform and warp your dentures, making them fit improperly.
When cleaning your dentures, use only lukewarm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can also use denture specific cleaning agents to help remove particularly difficult bits of food or stains.
There are many ways that you can extend the life of your new dentures and we’re always here to help. Contact us today!
