Denture Don’ts!

Our dentures - we depend on them for our appearance, for speech, and for proper digestion. They are our constant companions, yet we may take them for granted. Should we break or lose a denture, it becomes a concern if not a major crisis.

Looking after your dentures will assist in good oral hygiene and prolong their use. Be aware of the following denture DON’Ts:

Don’t eat hard candy. This will prematurely wear down your dentures’ back teeth, sometimes in just two years.

Don’t brush the inside of your dentures too vigorously. In time, this action will wear away the acrylic and your denture will no longer fit properly.

Don’t chew gum. This not only wears your dentures faster, but habitual gum chewing has been said to wear your TMJ (upper jaw joint) up to four times faster than would normally be the case – then you will have serious problems.

Don’t use bleach to clean your dentures. Under certain circumstances, such as with a fungal infection, a bleach and water formulation may be prescribed by a practitioner, but only for a short duration.

Don’t brush your dentures with toothpaste. Toothpaste is too abrasive and will scratch your dentures. Bacteria can hide in these scratches – that is why dentures should be highly polished to ensure they have a smooth surface.

Don’t wear your dentures all the time. Allow your gums to rest by taking your dentures out, if not overnight, then at least for a few hours during the day. This is done for a variety of health reasons. When the dentures are out, store them in water to prevent them from drying out.

Don’t place dentures in water that is too hot. Hot water can cause them to warp.