Denture Danger: What Harmful Habits Can Harm My Dentures?

Many people have found dentures to be an excellent way to replace their missing teeth. Today’s dentures are incredibly lifelike and so comfortable that you may even forget that they are there. While these appliances should be long-term investments for patients’ oral health, there are certain bad habits that can degrade their appearance and cause them to fail sooner. Here are a few habits to avoid when you wear dentures.

Poor Hygiene Can Demolish Your Dentures

Dentures require a proper hygiene regimen to remain free of bacteria that can cause unpleasant oral infections. Take care to remove and rinse your dentures after every meal to remove food debris and sugary residues.

It’s important to thoroughly clean your dentures at least once a day with dental floss, a soft-bristled brush, and mild soap and water or an approved denture cleanser. This will eliminate plaque, food particles, and lingering adhesive. It’s a great idea to fill your sink with lukewarm water and place folded towels across your countertop to create a cushion in case you drop your appliance. Remember that hot water or harsh cleansers can ruin your dentures’ fit by causing them to warp.

Wearing Your Dentures Continuously Can Cause Infections

Never removing your dentures can create the sort of wet, dark, warm, sheltered place that bacteria love between them and the gums. If you don’t remove your dentures for at least eight hours a day, your mouth will not have time to rest and clean itself, which can lead to gum disease and jawbone erosion. Most patients remove their dentures and set them to soak in water or an approved soaking solution before they go to bed.

Using Your Dentures as Tools Can Break Them

Just like real teeth, using your dentures to open packages or bottles can cause them to chip and break. While this can sometimes be a purely cosmetic issue, it can also ruin their ability to function and make repairs from your dentist necessary. By remembering to only use your dentures to chew and smile, you can keep them out of harm’s way.

Enjoying a complete set of teeth is something to smile about. By doing away with these habits, you can help your dentures last for as long as possible while avoiding nasty oral infections.

About the Author

Dr. Steven E. Amburgey earned his dental degree at West Virginia University Dental School in 2005 and stays up to date with the latest advances in his field through continuing education courses. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Association. His office in Abingdon, VA, offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about proper denture care, contact his office online or dial (276) 258-5568.