With the advent of dental implants for replacement of missing teeth, removable appliances like dentures are becoming less common. More specifically , a less chosen option. However, we do have an ageing population with more comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. As we touched on our previous posts, comorbidities are associated with a higher rate of dental disease and eventual tooth loss.
Now, with an rising cost of living, dentures may still be the most affordable solution for edentulous (lacking teeth) patients.
What are dentures?
Dentures are laboratory fabricated dental devices that are used to replace missing teeth in the mouth. These devices use the mouth’s soft tissues (gums) and hard tissues (teeth/bone structure) for retention so as to enable the denture wearer to chew foods. Below is a (YouTube) video of a denture being fitted.
Dentures can also be supported by teeth (partial dentures) or by implants (implant supported overdentures)
The main concern most patients have (other than how to get used to this strange appliance in their mouth) is how to maintain good oral hygiene whilst wearing a denture.
As you can imagine, plaque getting stuck on your teeth and gums will also stick to your denture. And calculus resulting from poor toothbrushing will also accumulate on your dentures!
What should I do if I wear a denture?
#1 Do Not wear your dentures at night
I would always ask my patients “ Would you wear your new shoes to sleep and why not?” The most common answer I would get is “ My feet would stink!”
Dentures in the mouth overnight would be a perfect breeding place for unwanted bacteria and fungi. Reduced salivary production in combination with mouth breathing can turn your denture into a bug party and cause nasty infections. One of the most common infections is oral candidiasis (thrush)
They can be painful and sometimes bleed due to inflammation. Prescription antifungals would be required for treatment.
#2 Clean your dentures daily with a denture cleanser
You do not need to use toothpaste on a denture. They are artificial teeth that do not benefit from a dose of fluoride daily. Of course, daily brushing is recommended with any soapy water.
We have products on the market that disinfect dentures effectively within a matter of minutes.# In Mauritius, Dentipur is the most available one. All you need to do is make a solution of Dentipur and soak your brushed denture for 15 min. Repeat twice a week.
Last but not the least
#3 Soak your denture in water overnight
Dried up dentures may become brittle and warped. Water soaking keeps the appliance clean and moist to prevent deformation and ensure good fitting.
Dentures are one of the oldest tooth replacement solutions. Both their designs and maintenance have evolved over the years. It is important to upkeep denture hygiene to ensure optimal long term use, and also to recognise when you need to see a professional for treatment of denture induced infections. If you need further information, speak to your dental professional!
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