Dentures

Our team is ready to help you look after your dentures and make them work for you.

Appearance. Dentures are custom-made to fit the individual they are designed to look completely natural and it should not be possible for anyone else to detect that you are wearing them.

As in any new situation, wearing new dentures will make you feel a little self- conscious but changes that you notice and feel will not be evident to others around you. If the dentures have changed your appearance a little it is likely that close friends and family will notice the change but will not be able to identify the reason for it.

Feel. Dentures tend to feel a little strange at first and you may find that you produce more saliva than normal. Talking, eating and smiling requires some different muscle movements that need to be learned. After a short while manipulation of the dentures will become unconscious. It is sometimes helpful to practice in front of a mirror at first and to listen very closely as you talk. Do not switch between new and old dentures if you can help it as this makes the process of adapting to the dentures much slower and more difficult.

Wearing at night. To help you adjust to wearing your new dentures it may help you to wear them for the first few nights. If you decide to keep them in at night therafter it is particularly important that you clean them thoroughly as you would natural teeth. However, if you don’t mind taking them out at night, your mouth and gums will have time to recover from the effort of supporting the dentures during the day and will benefit from the soothing effects of your saliva flow.

Pain. If you experience any pain you should inform us as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the next planned visit. It is best to leave the dentures in so that we can see where the sore places are and resolve the problem more quickly.

Taste. At first, food may not taste the same as the denture temporarily interferes with your taste buds. However as the majority of the taste buds are located on the tongue, eventually everything will begin to taste as it should. It is also a good idea to be wary of very hot food and drinks as your ability to sense the heat may be affected.

Eating. When you start eating with your dentures it is advisable to cut food into smaller pieces than usual to start with and chew slowly. It may help to divide the food in your mouth into two and then chew each half at the back of each side of your mouth to avoid tipping the denture. Using a sparing amount of denture fixative may also increase your confidence and help you to adapt more quickly. With practice the dentures should not restrict your choice of food.

Caring for the dentures

It is important to treat your dentures like you would your natural teeth. They should be kept as clean as possible to prevent bad breath, any further tooth loss, inflamed gums, or bacterial and fungal infections. You should clean them thoroughly twice a day, and after eating when necessary.

Dentures require both brushing and soaking for effective cleaning. Using either a denture brush, nail brush or medium texture toothbrush, brush your dentures to help remove any food debris. Use soap or a mild detergent, avoid abrasives (toothpaste will damage the surface of the acrylic). Make sure you clean all the surfaces of the dentures, particularly where it comes, into contact with your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them.  Soaking in a denture cleaner will help remove bacteria, stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling fresher. Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions, rinse and then brush the dentures again.

Cleaners to consider:

• Effervescent commercial products – 10-20 minutes soaking time generally kills 99% of bacteria. Their effectiveness enhanced using water warmed to 50°C.
• Very weak bleach or Milton gently warmed for plastic dentures only.
• Vinegar is effective and safe to use with metal dentures.
• Mouthwashes are not designed for soaking dentures and have no proven effect.

Sonic denture cleaners are available that are designed for gentle yet highly effective cleaning. These small units produce a sonic wave that agitates the cleaning solution, greatly enhancing its efficiency.

Some people do build up tartar on their dentures just as they would on their natural teeth. If plaque is not removed properly, it can react with your saliva and harden into tartar. As with your own teeth, you will not be able to remove this tartar completely yourself and eventually it can make the denture uncomfortable and unsightly. We can remove this for you.

Even if you have no natural teeth it is still important to visit the dentist regularly. We check the gums and lining of the mouth for health. Bone continues to be lost underneath dentures long after teeth have been removed, this happens faster if the dentures are worn and have a bad bite. Changes to the appearance of your face and muscle control of your dentures will change gradually over time if the dentures are not adjusted. Dentures are made of a soft acrylic material, which inevitably deteriorates over time. Increased porosity of the acrylic encourages accumulation of bacteria in the denture that can make the mouth sore and uncomfortable. We recommend review visits at least every two years and dentures usually need some modification or replacement every five years although this varies from one individual to another.