Dentists are removable dental appliances that take the place of missing teeth. They can help you out to speak and chew better. They also help improve the appearance and smile. You might hear people refer to dentures as artificial, fake or false teeth. A dentist who specializes in teeth replacement such as providing false teeth or full dentures is known as a prosthodontics. You could visit them to replace your teeth partially or fully.
People over the age of 60 or more are likely to be dangerous but anyone might need this dental appliance. You might require dentures if you lose teeth due to a facial injury, cavities, receding gums or gum disease. cavities, gum disease or receding gums.
Types of Dentures
The healthcare provider would recommend the best denture type based on how many teeth might be missing. The provider might use denture types that include:
- Complete: These dentures, also known as full dentures, rest in the gums. Here, a complete row of teeth gets replaced on the upper and lower gums or both.
- Partial: These dentures are capable of replacing one or multiple missing teeth. The dentures attach to existing teeth or sometimes dental implants.
- Fixed Partial: It is also called dental bridges where fixed partial dentures permanently attach to surrounding teeth. Only a dental expert could remove a fixed partial denture or bridge.
Cleaning of Dentures
Dentures need daily cleanings just like natural teeth. You will have to remove dentures from your mouth to clean them. You have to take proper care and clean your dentures. For that, you should:
- Take care of your gums and teeth. Brush your gums, roof of the mouth, tongue along any natural teeth every night and morning. Make use of a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Clean the dentures over a towel on the bathroom counter or a sink that is filled with water. This way, the dentures are not that likely to break if you happen to drop them accidentally.
- Apply a small amount of soap, denture cleanser and mild dishwashing liquid to a soft-bristled brush made specifically for dentures. Never make use of toothpaste or a regular toothbrush. These products are coarse and could make a scratch on the plastic material that is the dentures.
- If you will not be wearing the dentures again right away, place them in a container of cool water or a denture-cleaning solution. Dentures that dry out could permanently lose their shape.
How to care for my Dentures?
With proper maintenance and care, dentures could last up to seven years. Occasionally, the dentist you have might need to refit the denture base or make a new one using the teeth in the existing dentures.
To make sure that the dentures would last, you should:
- Rinse off and remove the Dentures after every snack or meal.
- Do not sleep when you are wearing dentures. You could place them in a glass of cool water overnight.
- Never place dentures in hot water. The heat could warp the plastic denture material.
- Consider occasionally using an ultrasonic cleaner. This device is capable of sending sound waves through a liquid cleanser that is designed specifically for dentures. The sound waves can dislodge food and other deposits.
- Never try to fix broken dentures using over-the-counter repair kits or glue. You might irreparably damage the appliance. Rather than that, you could schedule an appointment with your dentist.
