What are Dentures
Dentures are removable prosthetics that replace missing teeth. Millions of people all around the world wear dentures. Dentures don’t just replace missing teeth: they are your key to confidence, a youthful smile, and enjoying your favorite foods.
If you have had dentures before or if you’ve never had dentures before you’ll have questions about how dentures are made, how to care for them, and how to keep them fitting well.
Dentures are made of artificial teeth that are bonded to an acrylic or chrome base. The Denture Specialist will take an impression of your gums and dental arch as well as any remaining teeth you have.
Together with the Specialist’s advice you choose the color, size and shape of the teeth that you would like. Some patients like to bring in photos of what their own teeth looked like for the Specialist to replicate. Other patients prefer a whole new smile. It’s up to you.
A good denture should fit snugly. Even if you have worn dentures before, it’s normal to take a few days or weeks to get used to new dentures. The denture specialist will advise you on how long to wear your dentures for each day.
What should I expect with my new dentures?
At first, it's normal:
- To feel as if the denture is tight
- Gums may feel sore in places
- To produce more saliva
- May experience a slight gagging sensation in the back of the throat
- For the denture to feel bulky, as if it is too big for the mouth.
- For speech to be affected or to sound a bit lispy
How To Clean & Care For Your Denture?
At Milton Denture Clinic we recommend cleaning your dentures after every meal or at least twice a day.
Take your dentures out and rinse them under running water. Brush the denture using a gentle denture cleanser and a soft toothbrush.
Don’t use ordinary toothpaste – it’s too harsh and will scratch your dentures. Toothpaste will ultimately damage the denture and you will find that food and stains will be more likely to stick to your dentures.
Overnight Care
Taking your dentures out at night gives your gums a chance to rest. It also stops you from grinding on them, which can make them wear our more quickly. After cleaning your dentures, place them in water.
Cleaning
Sometimes the old methods are still the best.
We recommend using a white vinegar solution 1/4 part vinegar to 3/4 parts water and soak your dentures overnight or as long as possible, then rinse and gently brush clean. Cleaning with tablets and powder are also good solutions to keep your dentures clean.
Do not use:
Very Hot water, Bleaches, Methylated spirits, Ordinary toothpaste, Abrasive or strong chemicals.
My upper denture fits fine, but I have problems with the lower denture. Any suggestions?
The lower denture has to contend with more tongue and muscle movements than the top denture, and the gums shrink more than the upper jaw. A lot of times this is due to lack of retention of the lower denture and can be corrected with relining the denture.
If your mouth is suitable it may be worth considering implant-retained dentures, which are more secure. Talk to your denturist and your dentist for more information.
At Milton Denture Clinic we provide free consultation about all your denture needs including implant.
I've only lost a few teeth. Is it really worth having a partial denture?
Yes. If you have gaps then your other teeth will move to take up some of the space, so you could end up with crooked, tilted or rotated teeth - this could even affect your bite or result in your teeth becoming damaged and falling out faster.
How long will my dentures last?
As long as you treat your dentures well, they should last several years. However, you should be aware that over time the shape of your mouth will change - your gums and the underlying bone will gradually shrink. So a denture that was originally a perfect fit can become loose or uncomfortable after a few years and may need to be replaced or relined. On Average dentures should be replaced every 5 to 10 years.
I have an Emergency but the office is closed. Who do I call?
If our office is closed and you have an emergency, look under the "Contact Us" tab and call the number listed as "cell phone"
