dentures
Everyone has heard the jokes about false teeth, but dentures are a fact of life for many people - and caring for them well is no laughing matter. Replacing lost or missing teeth with dentures is important, not just for your appearance but also to enable you to speak and eat properly.
What kind of denture can you have?
A complete or full denture is a set of teeth replacing all the natural teeth in the top or bottom jaw, while a partial denture fills in the spaces where individual teeth are missing. Overdentures fit on top of the roots of existing teeth and can be clipped in place. They can also be made over implants. Hybrids can be made of different types of denture.
Will everyone know I have false teeth?
Today, dentures are made of modern acrylic and other materials and can be matched very accurately to your natural tooth colour and shape. A good set of well-fitting dentures should not be noticeable to others and may even improve your appearance.
Will I take long to get used to them?
It may take a while to get used to wearing your dentures, especially when eating or speaking. At first, chew with the teeth at the sides of your mouth and start with soft foods cut up small. Before long you will be able to eat normally. Talking, too, may take some practice. Read out loud and practice difficult words at home. If the denture slips occasionally, reposition it by biting down. A denture fixative may be necessary. Consult your dentist if the problem continues.
Dentures should not make your mouth feel sore. If this happens, your dentist may need to check and adjust the fit.
Should I wear them all the time?
Your dentist will advise you on this. You may be advised to wear them most of the time at first, even when you are asleep, but after a while your dentist may suggest you remove them when you are in bed. This gives your mouth and gums a chance to rest. Leave the dentures fully immersed in water so they do not dry out.
How do I care for my dentures?
Like your own teeth, dentures need to be cleaned daily to remove bits of food and plaque. They are fragile and may break if dropped, so clean them over a sink full of water or over a soft surface.
- Brush them under water with a small headed or special denture brush to remove the debris.
- Soak the dentures in a specialist denture cleaner, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Do not soak them in very hot water, and avoid cleaning them with normal toothpaste, as this can damage the denture material.