Dentures are one of the most reliable and natural-looking tooth replacement options out there, and you can enjoy a wide range of benefits with them. Even if you’ve lost all of your teeth, these prosthetics can function much like normal pearly whites, and they’ll allow you to eat many of your favorite meals while showing off a nice, full smile. That said, certain actions can ruin your experience with your dentures if you aren’t careful. Here are five habits that you should avoid once you receive your prosthetics.
Sleeping with Dentures
After the first 24 hours of getting brand-new dentures, you should only have them on while you’re awake. Leaving them on during bedtime can spell trouble for your gums, as they can restrict circulation and prevent essential nutrients from getting to them. Make sure to remove, clean, and soak them in denture cleanser before sleeping, that way your mouth can also rest until you put them back on.
Chewing Gum
Even if you choose sugar-free gum, the stickiness can cause your dentures to shift out of position. Instead, try sticking to mints that won’t latch onto your prosthetics. You might even consider using mouthwash to freshen up.
Nail Biting
While biting your nails might seem harmless at first glance, this can potentially damage your dentures down the road. Your tooth replacements won’t be as durable as natural enamel, so you can end up chipping them if you aren’t careful. You should try practicing another kind of habit, such as using a stress ball, which can help you prevent damage to your prosthetics.
Leaving Your Dentures Out
Although you need to give your gums a rest from wearing your dentures, you don’t want to forget to put them back on after waking up. Leaving them out for too long can cause them to dry out or even lose their shape and ruin their fit. Any other remaining natural teeth can also start moving out of place because they don’t have their placeholder. By wearing your dentures every day, you can prevent this from happening.
Forgetting to Clean Your Dentures
Just because your prosthetics aren’t your real teeth won’t mean that you don’t have to keep them just as clean. Bacteria can still cause problems if you don’t brush and rinse your dentures daily. While sleeping, keep them soaked in water or denture cleanser so that they stay fresh and won’t introduce germs to your gums when you wear them again.
Taking proper care of your tooth replacements doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Avoid the above habits, and you should be able to enjoy having your newly restored bite!
About the Practice
At Temple Choice Dental, our team prioritizes patient safety and wants to ensure that you receive the best results possible for your oral health. We offer a wide array of treatments, including custom dentures, and we can provide you with specific guidelines on how to make the most of your brand-new smile. If you wish to know more about this tooth replacement option or need to schedule an appointment, you can visit our website or contact our team at 254-727-7144.