There’s more to denture care than popping them in and soaking them every so often if you want to keep your gums healthy. No matter whether you wear full or partial dentures, improper denture care can lead to unhealthy gums which, in itself, brings on a whole host of problems. From minor irritation and swollen gums to permanent gum damage, proper denture care is crucial to maintaining healthy gums while wearing dentures. Here are our top five tips for keeping your gums healthy while wearing dentures.
Rest Your Gums
As a new denture wearer, you may be under the impression that you can leave your dentures in 24/7, however, this is far from the truth. Having your dentures in for 24 hours at a time can cause a number of gum issues, including irritation and mouth sores. So, it’s important to give your gums a break every so often.
This doesn’t mean you’ll be going long periods without your dentures, however, and removing your dentures for six to eight hours a day should suffice. With this in mind, most denture wearers opt to take their dentures out while they sleep, which not only gives your gums a break but also allows you to properly clean and soak them – which brings us to our next tip.
Regularly Clean Your Dentures
Bacteria and plaque can build up on dentures just like they can on natural teeth. So, it’s important to clean your dentures thoroughly every day, just like you would your natural teeth, since neglecting to care for your dentures clean could lead to infections and irritation. Taking out your dentures and brushing them with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive denture cleaner can help keep your gums healthy while wearing dentures.
Some denturists and dentists even recommend removing and rinsing your dentures after every meal, whenever possible. This also helps keep your dentures clean and your gums healthy.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Cleaning your gums and the rest of your mouth after taking your dentures out plays an extremely important role in keeping your gums healthy while wearing dentures. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with an alcohol-free mouthwash to get rid of any bacteria, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove any leftover denture adhesive.
Gently brush the roof of your mouth, tongue, and cheeks, and do the same with your gums to remove any excess plaque buildup and mitigate bad breath after you take your dentures out for the day. Wearing dentures is no excuse to neglect basic oral hygiene!
Avoid Hard Foods
While many recommend avoiding hard and chewy food while you’re still getting used to your dentures, it’s not a bad idea to avoid them altogether. Biting down hard and excessive chewing could cause your dentures to rub against your gums more than usual, causing unnecessary irritation which could eventually develop into sores.
If you can help it, stay away from or limit your consumption of foods like tough meats, nuts, hard fruit and vegetables, and even chewing gum to avoid extra pressure and friction on your dentures and gums.
Schedule Regular Denturist Appointments
Scheduling regular denturist visits to get your dentures and overall oral health checked out is a key part of keeping your gums healthy while wearing dentures. In addition to making sure your dentures are properly adjusted and fit well to minimize irritation, your denturist will be able to spot early signs of unhealthy gums or gum issues and advise you on the best course of action to take.
We recommend seeing your denturist at least twice a year, in addition to your regular dentist appointments, to ensure any mouth or gum issues get spotted early and your gums remain healthy. At Hillhurst Denture Clinic, we even offer free yearly checkups and denture cleaning!
Keep Your Gums Healthy With Hillhurst Denture Clinic
At Hillhurst Denture Clinic, Calgary, we do our utmost to offer the best denture case possible. Offering a wide range of denture options and services, our in-house professional denturist has the experience it takes to make sure your dentures fit well and your gums stay healthy. Reach out to us today at 403-283-1272 or contact us online to book your free consultation.
