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Dental Health and Food: Learning to Eat Better

My intense love for candy, cakes, and everything in between started as a child. I simply couldn't go one day without something sweet to eat. But my love for all things sweet took a toll on my teeth. My dentist diagnosed me with seven cavities, each one a different size and depth. After sitting through four long dental appointments, I decided to make a change. I now monitor my diet and only eat things that benefit my oral health. I'm here to help you take better care of your teeth. My blog offers tips on how to improve your diet, maintain good oral hygiene, and many other topics. Hopefully, you can learn to overcome your bad habits just as I did. Good luck with your future dental health.

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Dental Health and Food: Learning to Eat Better

Caring For Your Dentures

by Eric Bailey

A denture is comprised of false teeth that are connected to a base, which is usually made of resin. It is often prescribed for people who have lost a large number of teeth. Once dentures are in place, the patient can speak and eat without as much difficulty.

If all the teeth are missing from a palate, a full denture is used. However, if some remaining teeth are still present in a palate, a partial denture may be recommended. A traditional denture is held in place by the natural suction created as the denture rests against the soft tissues of the palate. However, denture adhesive may be added to hold the appliance more firmly in place. Dentures may also be held in position by a connection to dental implants or remaining natural teeth. 

Still, a denture is an appliance and requires proper care. Here are a few suggestions for the proper care of dentures.

Use Soap Instead of Toothpaste to Clean Dentures

Dentures are customized based on the contours of your mouth. Thus, they often look like natural teeth. Nevertheless, a denture should not be cleaned with toothpaste. When cleaning a denture, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and soap. Toothpaste is too abrasive for the resin material of a denture and may damage the appliance. 

Additionally, small scrapes and scratches on the false teeth of a denture can harbor bacteria that could lead to bad breath and inflamed gums.

Rinse Dentures After Snacks and Meals

Dentures can become stained by the pigments in the foods and drinks that you ingest. To keep your appliance looking its best, rinse it after you eat or drink. Rinsing helps dilute the colorants before they discolor your dentures. Additionally, it helps remove particles of food that may be stuck to the dentures.

Soak Dentures Overnight

Dentures should be soaked in a cleaning solution or water overnight. When dentures are not in the mouth, they should be covered by a liquid to prevent them from drying out and becoming brittle. Special denture-cleaning solutions are available for purchase over-the-counter. However, pure water is also a suitable option for temporarily storing your dentures.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Routine dental appointments are still necessary after you receive your dentures. During the visits, your dentist can inspect the dentures to ensure that they are undamaged and fit as they should. The dentist can also assess the health of your gums.

If you have dentures and have not had a recent dental appointment, contact a dental office like Cape Dental Care to schedule an appointment.

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