How to make your dentures last longer
There is a myth among people wearing or considering dentures that you never have to worry about your teeth again. Well, your dentures may not be made up of real teeth, but they must be cleaned daily to remove food residue, as well as to prevent the build-up of dental plaque and the development of permanent stains.
Regular and proper maintenance will not only improve your oral health and boost your overall confidence, it will also help your dentures last longer. The Central Leader talked to Ethan Liaw and Rattana Tith of Dyverse Dentures about this important aspect of denture hygiene. At their Mangere clinic, the wellknown dental technicians offered us a few simple tips on how to maintain those dentures.
1. Don’t be harsh
We see a lot of patients going too hard and aggressive, brushing their dentures with either a really hard tooth brush or toothpaste. This can accelerate the wear of the denture. While toothpaste has tiny granules that can act like sandpaper and take off the high shine on the denture, vigorous brushing can lead to wearing down of the denture teeth and base. If the base of your denture wears down, it can lead to a poor fit and food accumulation on denture surfaces. Worn down teeth can lead to reduced biting function, and impact overall functioning of your denture.
2. The right way
We advise patients to brush their dentures morning and night with a soft to medium brush and just use a dishwashing liquid with no granules. Using a daily cleanser like Polident tablets can also help remove bacteria build-up in the denture base that people can’t see with the naked eye. If you have partial dentures alongside your own teeth, don’t forget to clean your teeth as they are vital for maintaining your partial dentures. This is because build-up around your natural teeth can alter the fit of the dentures, leading to denture breakage.
3. Gum massage
Use your thumb to gently massage your gum tissue on the denture fitting surfaces. When performed properly, gum massage increases blood flow to your gum tissue. This increase in blood flow leads to the circulation of more nutrient-rich blood to your gum tissue, helping fight gum disease and improve overall gum health.
If patients are noticing they have excess build-up of food under the denture or around the teeth, it might be worthwhile to give Ethan and Rattana a call and they can help address any issue you might have.
‘‘It doesn’t matter if you got your dentures from another denture maker, we can help identify the early signs of any deterioration in your dentures or overall oral health, preventing more severe problems from occurring. We can also identify any misfits of your dentures, to avoid hurting your gums.’’
Ethan and Rattana have years of experience in creating high quality custom dentures in their modern onsite laboratory.
‘‘At Dyverse Dentures we create premium dentures that you can afford,’’ they say.
You don’t need a dentist’s referral, Dyverse Dentures is open direct to the public. Ethan and Rattana are ready to answer all your questions and put your mind at ease. Call them today for a free consultation.
Who: Dyverse Dentures
Where: 12C Wadden Place, Mangere
Phone: 09-634 4543
Web: www.dyversedentures.com