Here’s How to Care for Your Dentures in Parma Heights

Caring for your dentures in Parma Heights is easy. You should clean them using a soft-bristle toothbrush, use care when handling them, and remove them daily for soaking. You should also massage your gums, eat a nutritious diet, and see your dentist if you notice a change in the way the denture fits. A little bit of preventative care now can lead to big benefits over time.

Five Tips for Better Dentures

Use these five tips to guide your daily denture care:

1. Soaking: it’s important to remove the appliance daily for a thorough soaking. Most wearers wait until bedtime to perform this task. You can use a dentist-recommended soaking solution, a mixture of vinegar and water, or simply warm water if your dentures have metal fixtures.
2. Cleaning: just like natural teeth, dentures require daily cleaning using a toothbrush. Good choices for the cleaning liquid include dental paste, nonabrasive toothpaste, dishwashing liquid, or soft soap.
3. Handling: use care when removing or replacing your dentures. Keep a plush towel or basin of warm water underneath the dentures when cleaning them, in case they slip out of your fingers and fall. Always store them beyond the reach of children or pets. Never place them near heat sources or try to adjust their shape without your dentist’s guidance.
4. Checking: you may notice over time that your dentures don’t fit in quite the same way. This is probably a sign that they need relining due to changes in your facial profile. See your dentist right away if you notice this concern.
5. Massaging: it’s important to care for your gums as well as your dentures, whether you’re wearing a full or partial restoration. You should gently clean and massage your gums daily, using either a soft bristle brush or a clean, damp cloth.

Dealing with Common Denture Problems

Anything new takes some getting used to, including dentures. Here are four common problems denture wearers face and how to deal with them:

1. Difficulty eating: cut your food into bite-sized portions and avoid hard or sticky items. You can also try chewing your food on both sides of your mouth to prevent dislodging your dentures.
2. Trouble speaking; this is a common challenge faced by new denture wearers. One way to deal with it is to practice speaking while you’re alone, using a recording app on your smart device to hear how you sound. Gradually transition to social and public events as you gain skills and confidence.
3. Slippage: most denture wearers are able to partially compensate for this problem by learning how to hold the appliance in place with their cheeks and tongue. Denture adhesives can help as well. You may also want to consider switching to an implant-supported denture, which avoids the limitations associated with traditional dentures.

Your dentist in Parma Heights can recommend other ways to get the most value from your dentures. Talk to him or her about the topic during your next appointment. You’ll soon be smiling brighter than ever before.

About the Author

Dr. Glenn Shtarkman has been practicing dentistry since earning his DMD degree in 2005. An excellent general dentist, he’s also skilled in many cosmetic and restorative techniques, including implant placement. You can reach his office online or by calling (440) 885-5354.