5 tips for confident denture wearing

from Lawrence E. Brecht, D.D.S.

1. 1. SMILE WITH CONFIDENCE. Dentures will improve your facial appearance and self-confidence. Dentures can solve pronunciation problems you may have experienced with missing teeth. A successful denture will help you improve your chewing of most foods, while looking natural. Proper fitting dentures will not only feel good, they will boost your self-esteem.
2. 2. CLEAN YOUR DENTURES WITH A SOFT OR ULTRA-SOFT TOOTHBRUSH. At the end of the day when you remove your dentures, you should use a soft or ultra-soft bristled toothbrush to gently massage your gum tissues and to remove any film or debris. To refresh your mouth, you may want to rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
3. 3. USE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF DENTURE ADHESIVE. Don’t think you can correct the fit of your dentures by using more denture adhesive. Denture adhesive may help your dentures fit more securely, especially a lower denture. However, for dentures that may be older or seem particularly ill-fitting, you should see your dentist or prosthodontist to improve the fit and comfort.
4. 4. SCHEDULE REGULAR CHECK-UPS WITH YOUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL. Just because you have dentures, does not mean you no longer need regular dental examinations. It is important to continue to see your dentist or prosthodontist routinely, at least once a year, for an exam of your oral tissues. Even though you may no longer have natural teeth that can decay or be affected by periodontal (“gum”) disease, other conditions may affect the gums, the tissues that line your oral cavity, your tongue and your upper and lower jaws. Your dentist or prosthodontist should routinely examine all these structures for oral cancer as well. Oral cancer is diagnosed in about 35,000 Americans each year.
5. 5. VISIT A PROSTHODONIST FOR EXPERT CARE OF YOUR DENTURES. To assure the best possible outcome of wearing dentures, you may want to seek the care of a trained dental specialist, such as a prosthodontist, to have your dentures fabricated or replaced. Prosthodontists are dentists with an additional three years of training, who specialize in the restoration and replacement of teeth, including the fabrication of dentures. If you have had difficulty with your denture fit or daily denture wear, the skills of a prosthodontist can help address these complex issues.

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