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Dentures & Denture Care |
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A denture is a removable prosthesis or appliance (complete or partial) made to replace natural teeth. Dentures
are naturally retained in the mouth due to a combination of factors. Learning to eat with artificial teeth requires considerable skill
and practice. This is because every person's mouth has a different structure, which can affect the retention and stability of the
denture. Also the level of suction which helps hold the denture in place, particularly the upper denture, will vary according to the
amount of saliva produced. Many denture wearers find the lower denture particularly difficult to manage at first. Experience will
help as will the use of a carefully selected denture fixative which can help to keep the denture in place and stable. However well
fitting the dentist has made the dentures, they can never provide the biting and chewing efficiency of natural teeth. Using a denture
fixative will help to give confidence and dispel many fears about wearing dentures. Even well fitting dentures can benefit and become
more stable and secure. The ingredients work together to hold the denture in place and provide a strong and lasting hold that can
help to reduce the ‘wobble’, so eating apples, crusty bread and other foods can be enjoyed again. Gum irritation A fixative also acts
as a supporting layer between dentures and gums. It helps reduce the effects of any pressure spots, helps prevent the dentures rubbing
and makes them more comfortable. A fixative will make you more confident when meeting people and eating out. Dirty dentures are unattractive
and may smell or taste unpleasant; in addition, deposits on the dentures can be harmful to the health of gums and any remaining teeth.
Deposits on dentures are the same as those that occur on natural teeth and include: food particles, stains, calculus (tartar) and
bacterial deposits (plaque). Certain foods and drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine can cause staining, as can tobacco. A denture
which has plaque and tartar present will stain more quickly than a denture which is kept clean. It is a good idea to develop a regular
routine for cleaning dentures. Cleaning them at the same time as any remaining natural teeth will make sure that it is done regularly.
Whatever the type of denture, it is best to rinse it after every meal and remove any debris with a soft brush, a denture cleaner and
warm water. Dentures should be cleaned over a basin half filled with warm water to minimise the risk of damage they are dropped. Brushing
is the most essential aspect of cleaning a denture. Soaking a denture in a cleansing solution alone is not enough. Use a brush (a
large toothbrush is fine) to reach into all the crevices of the denture, especially the fitting surface (the part that contacts your
gums) and, in the case of partial dentures, inside any metal parts such as clasps. Using a specialist denture cleansing paste is probably
the most effective way of removing food debris and bacterial deposits (plaque) and preventing the build up of stains or tartar. Deposits
of tartar(a bit like the ‘fur’ in a kettle) are less likely if your dentures are always kept clean. However, they can be a problem
for some people. No commercially available denture cleanser is effective in removing such deposits and this needs to be done professionally
by your dentist or in a dental laboratory, where your dentures can easily be descaled and repolished. Dentures made of metal and plastic Rinse
the denture thoroughly after every meal and remove debris by brushing with a soft brush, soap and warm water. In the evening, clean
it thoroughly with a brush and denture cleaning paste. Do NOT soak the denture in a hypochlorite type of cleanser, an acid or household
cleanser. Remove it overnight and leave it in cold water. This helps to keep your gums healthy. Temporary soft lining materials Sometimes
the dentist may ‘reline’ the denture with a temporary soft lining material and this requires special care:
Permanent soft lining materials If your denture has a permanent
rubber lining:
Rinse the denture
after every meal and remove debris by brushing with a soft brush, soap and cold water. Soak the denture in a hypochlorite type of
cleanser for 20 minutes every evening. Rinse thoroughly and leave in cold water overnight. Commercially available denture cleansers
generally fall into one of the following categories:- Paste cleansers Alkaline peroxides Liquid cleansers |