Everything You Need to Know About Dentures

Finally, you have decided to get a new set of teeth! Dentures in Houston have been used for decades to replace missing teeth and are still being used today. Tooth loss is no fun; living with sagging facial muscles, difficulty chewing, poor pronunciation, and so on are just some things you will have to deal with if you lose your teeth.

Thankfully, our dentist in 77074 offers dentures to ensure that the function and appearance of your teeth are restored. But you will need to know the basic things about dentures so that you can make informed decisions and care for them after they have been fixed.

What Are Dentures?

For several decades, dentures near you have always been the go-to option when people are looking for missing teeth replacements. They are removable yet tooth-like dental prostheses our dentist uses to restore jaw form and function by replacing any number of missing teeth.

A typical denture consists of two parts: the replacement teeth and the gum-colored base. The gum-colored base is created using acrylic and is attached to a metal framework. It is the one that sits on the gum.

The false teeth attached to the gum-colored base are created from high-quality acrylic resins, making them sturdier and even more attractive than ever. Sometimes, the false teeth are fashioned from porcelain to make them look more lifelike. The only issue with porcelain is that it might not withstand the chewing force of the back teeth. Therefore, they are best suited for the upper front teeth.

The upper and lower dentures for the upper and lower jaw are designed differently. The upper denture is made to cover the roof of your mouth (palate), and the lower denture is designed like a horseshoe to create room for your tongue.

Besides the design, there are several types of dentures that you can choose from, such as:

• Complete Dentures – the most common type of dentures used when you need to replace all of your teeth. They are further subdivided into two groups, traditional and immediate dentures
• Partial dentures are your go-to option when you only need to replace a few missing teeth. They are also subdivided into three groups cast metal framework, flexible partial denture and acrylic clasp.
• Implant-Supported Dentures – these are dentures that are fixed on dental implants. They are stable and feel almost like your natural teeth

How to Care for Dentures

It’s a colossal mistake to assume that since dentures are fake teeth, you can skip regular dental cleaning. They are tooth replacements, which means that whatever you used to do to maintain natural teeth, you continue to employ the same care.

Daily Cleaning

Dentures are made from acrylic, meaning they can break when they fall. Therefore, you will need to prep the area you will use before you remove your dentures to clean them. You will need to hold the denture over a sink full of water or a towel. Holding it over a towel or a sink full of water will help cushion the denture if it slips from your hands.

Thoroughly rinse your dentures to ensure that all the food debris comes off. Moisten the denture toothbrush, then apply the denture cleaner. Gently use the denture cleaner to brush the surface of the denture so that you don’t damage the acrylic or bend the metal.

You need to brush your denture daily to remove plaque and prevent staining of the false teeth. But remember to always use the brush designed to clean dentures, not regular toothbrushes.

Also, ordinary toothpaste usually has abrasives, which could damage the dentures. So go for denture-friendly products.

Dentures can also lose their shape when they are not moist. Always ensure that you always keep them in water or denture solution when you are not wearing them. Also, the soaking solution can aid in cleaning the dentures.

Don’t try to fix the dentures if they feel off or are damaged. Rush to our offices and talk to our dentist in 77074 to see if you can find a solution.

Caring for Your Mouth and Gums

Caring for your gums is as essential as caring for dentures. This is because the dentures will sit on the gums, so you must care for them each day. That’s why you should always remove the dentures when you go to bed. If you sleep while the dentures are in the mouth, it will lead to irritation, even infection.

Remember to use a soft toothbrush and warm salty water to clean the soft tissues of the mouth, which are the gums, cheeks, palate (roof of the mouth) and tongue, before wearing the dentures.

Taking care of your dentures will ensure they serve you much longer than expected. If you have any queries, our dentist is ready to help you. Contact us at Mi Casa Dental.