Replacing missing teeth can be a life-changing process. Not only can your nutrition and diet improve dramatically but your confidence and quality of life can significantly rise as well! However, some denture wearers fall into bad habits, which can negatively affect your dentures and your mouth. In this post, you’ll learn what some of these bad habits are and how to avoid them.
Not Wearing Your Dentures
Taking a break from your dentures during the day every now and then is fine, but be sure to take full advantage of your replacement teeth! If you’ve gone through the process of getting dentures, you should definitely wear them on a consistent basis. Brand-new dentures can require time to become accustomed to, but the more you wear them, the sooner they’ll feel normal. When they aren’t in your mouth, such as when you sleep, they need to be soaking in a cup of water to keep the restorations from drying out and changing shape.
Not Cleaning Your Dentures
At first glance, you may think that because your teeth are false you don’t need to clean them. They can’t get cavities, so you’re done with daily cleaning, right? Wrong! Although your replacement teeth will not ever decay, bacteria can still grow on them.
In addition, your teeth shouldn’t be your only concern. You still need to worry about the health of your gums. If you contract gum disease, also called periodontal disease, it can cause the underlying bone to deteriorate quickly, significantly weakening your bite.
Every day, your dentures should be brushed and flossed, just like real teeth. These little habits can help control oral bacteria so your gums and jawbone—plus any remaining teeth you have—can stay strong.
Leaving Your Dentures in Your Mouth While You Sleep
When you have dentures, a necessary part of your day occurs right before you go to sleep at night: taking your dentures out and soaking them in a glass of water or denture cleanser. However, some wearers forget this step and sleep with them in. The problem is that the mouth produces less saliva and becomes dry during sleep, creating the perfect conditions for bacterial growth. Needless to say, it’s better for your oral health if you soak your dentures at night so they are more pleasant to wear during the day.
Not Visiting the Dentist Regularly
It may seem strange to see a dentist if you have no teeth left in your mouth. However, your dentist checks for more than just cavities. They also look out for gum disease, oral cancers, and many other conditions. Additionally, they can make small tweaks to the dentures to make sure they fit snugly and comfortably in your mouth.
Now that you’re aware of habits that could derail your replacement smile, you can take the necessary steps to avoid them!
About the Practice
At each of the six locations Williamsburg Dental has around the Lincoln area, our dentists have you and your smile’s best interests at heart. With us, you’ll receive personalized attention and a customized treatment plan. In addition, we can walk you through several ways to pay for your treatment—whether it’s through insurance, our membership plan, or flexible financing. To learn more about your custom dentures, you can contact your nearest Williamsburg Dental location or reach out to us online.