Protecting Prostheses: Habits to Avoid When Wearing Dentures

Dentures have allowed millions of people to enjoy a complete smile after tooth loss, restoring their confidence as well as their chewing and speaking abilities. While modern dentures are fantastically comfortable and incredibly durable, they do not last forever and can be damaged by certain bad habits. Here’s a brief list of activities that can tarnish or break your dental appliance so you can avoid needing expensive repairs or replacements.

Bad Habit #1: Skipping Oral Hygiene Sessions

While some people may assume that they don’t need to worry about practicing oral hygiene after losing all their teeth, nothing could be further from the truth. When wearing dentures, you’ll need to brush them at least twice a day, but most dentists recommend brushing them after each meal. It’s also important to rinse your dentures off after eating and to floss them daily. Remember that traditional toothpaste is abrasive enough to leave visible scratches in the teeth of your dentures, so stick to gel toothpastes that are much gentler.

Bad Habit #2: Wearing Your Dentures Continuously

Modern dentures are so incredibly comfortable that some patients are tempted to wear them continuously for days or weeks on end, but this is a horrible idea. Wearing dentures restricts blood flow to the gums and allows food particles to be trapped between them and the soft tissues, so it’s crucial to remove your dentures for at least eight hours a day so your mouth can rest and clean itself. Most patients do this before going to bed and leave their dentures in a container with water or denture cleanser so they don’t dry out and warp.

Neglecting to remove your dentures every day will exhaust the gums and allow the food trapped beneath the appliance to serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The resulting oral infections can lead to the recession of the gums and jawbones, ruining the way the dentures fit and requiring them to be replaced sooner.

Bad Habit #3: Using Dentures as Tools

Dentures, like real teeth, should not be used to open bottles or packages, as this can break, crack, or chip the dental crowns, thereby diminishing the appliance’s appearance and leaving the crowns vulnerable to further damage. By remembering to only use your new teeth for smiling, eating, and speaking, you can keep your appliance in great shape for years to come.

With excellent care, dentures can last for ten years or more before needing replacement. Abstaining from these bad habits can keep your smile beautiful and potentially save you significant amounts of money over time.

About the Author

Dr. George Tzagournis earned his dental degree at Ohio State University and furthers his education by participating in advanced hands-on courses, lectures, and self-directed studies. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the Columbus Dental Association. His office in Upper Arlington offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about keeping your dentures in great shape, contact his practice online or dial (614) 457-1481.