What is a denture?
Dentures are a set of replacement teeth. They are fitted
exactly to each person's mouth. Although they are very
strong, dropping them even a few inches can break them.
Why are dentures important?
Dentures do the same work as natural teeth. Dentures can
improve the ability to chew and speak, as well as provide
support for facial muscles, cheeks, and lips. A good
fitting denture will allow you to chew your food properly,
and reduce the risk of choking during a meal.
What can I do to get used to my dentures?
New dentures can feel strange, especially when you get your
first ones. Talk to your dentist about what to expect when
wearing and caring for them. Ask how the dentures will feel
while you are getting used to them, and how you can tell if
something is wrong. Be patient while adjusting to them.
Practice your speech by reading the paper out loud.
At first, it helps to eat soft, nonsticky food. Cut your
food into small pieces and chew slowly. It is best to
divide your food up evenly on both sides of your mouth.
You may notice that certain foods don't taste the same or
that they need more seasoning. Be particularly careful not
to eat food that is too hot. Dentures may make your mouth
less sensitive to hot foods and liquids. Also, be careful
of food with bones because your mouth may be less sensitive
to hard objects. Avoid nuts and seeds that may slip under
the dentures and cause irritation.
How do I clean my dentures?
Dentures need to be taken out of the mouth for cleaning. It
is often convenient to take them out at bedtime, let them
soak in warm (not hot) water or a denture cleansing solution
overnight, and then brush them in the morning. If you are
not comfortable taking your dentures out of your mouth for
long periods of time, it's OK to take them out only long
enough to clean them. It is healthier to leave them out of
your mouth overnight or for several hours, however, to avoid
too much pressure on the soft tissues and bone of your mouth
and jaw.
It's a good idea to brush your dentures over a wash basin
half full of water. If they slip from your fingers, they
are less likely to crack if they land in water. Always use
a special denture brush that will reach all parts of the
denture. A regular toothbrush will not do the job. You can
use soap, toothpaste, or bicarbonate of soda to clean
dentures, but a special denture paste removes stains better.
Make sure you clean the inside of the denture as well as the
tooth side.
Always soak dentures when they are out of your mouth.
Dentures that get dry may shrink or warp. When your
dentures are out of your mouth, clean your tongue and gums,
with a soft toothbrush and rinse thoroughly.
Denture relining
Over time, your gums will probably shrink a little and your
dentures will no longer fit as well as they used to. Also,
a weight loss or gain of 5 pounds or more can affect how
your dentures fit. You may develop sore spots where they
begin to rub. Ill fitting dentures can irritate the gums,
tongue and cheek, and even cause the ridges of your mouth to
shrink. People who have ill-fitting dentures may not eat a
healthy diet.
Signs that your dentures may need attention are:
- looseness
- bad odor
- stains and tartar deposits
- a sore spot in your mouth
- cracks in the denture base or chipped teeth.
Properly fitting dentures should not need adhesives or
cushion pads. Your dentures may need to be relined, or even
replaced, after a number of years. See your dentist if your
dentures do not fit well or are uncomfortable.
Dental exams
See your dentist regularly because your mouth is continually
changing. Your dentist will check your mouth, tongue, gum
ridges, and jaw joints for other problems and adjust your
dentures. It is very important that red or white spots or
other sores in the mouth that do not go away within 2 weeks
are checked by your dentist within a few days.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2007 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.