If you have ever felt self-conscious about missing teeth, you owe it to yourself to ask our dentist about partial or complete dentures. Dr. Stephanie Busch-Abbate has helped countless patients smile with confidence after major tooth loss. Dentures may be just what you need to improve your quality of life.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable false teeth that help you to eat and speak normally after major tooth loss. For more information about dentures, we recommend contacting our dentist at Gentle Dentistry.
Here are five denture care tips that will help with the process of adjusting to dentures and maintain good oral health over time.
1. Never Let Your Dentures Dry Out
You’ll need to submerge your complete or partial dentures in a glass of water or denture soaking solution when they are not in your mouth. Dentures that dry out are at risk for warping and cracking. Dentures need to be kept wet to reduce the risk of fracture.
2. Brush Your Dentures
Dentures can cause bad breath if they are covered in plaque and odor-causing bacteria. The best way to protect your oral health (and your breath) is to brush your dentures twice a day. Brushing your dentures will also prevent stains from leftover food particles.
3. Brush Your Gums
Your gums are just as important as teeth to your oral health, which is why you should make a habit of brushing your gums. Dental plaque on the gums is enough to cause gum disease. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of Americans age 30 and over have periodontitis (gum disease).
4. Practice Speaking with Dentures
When you first get dentures your speech may be affected. It may take a while for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to get used to speaking around denture(s). In the meantime, we recommend reading out loud from one of your favorite books to practice pronunciation.
5. Practice Chewing
Dentures that are supported by minimal bone or without implants are more likely to be unstable. Since dentures can move, we recommend cutting up hard-to-chew foods (like steak) into bite-sized pieces. If you have difficulty chewing with your dentures, our dentist can evaluate your mouth to determine if other procedures will aid including implants or relining the denture(s).
Ready to Make an Appointment?
Dr. Stephanie Busch-Abbate is a dentist in Kalamazoo, MI. To request an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for dentures, call Gentle Dentistry at (269) 381-3890.