Do you have overdentures? These dental appliances allow you to live your daily life, as they restore your ability to eat, chew, and speak.
At Smart Dental Care, we provide overdentures and other denture options for patients in the Holladay area. We also want to help you care for your dental health further, so we’ve put together this guide on caring for your overdentures and extending their lifespan.
What Are Overdentures?
Overdentures are a kind of denture that attaches to dental implants or natural teeth. These dentures are removable, making them a popular option with many patients.
If you have lost or are losing most or all of your teeth, overdentures are a good option to restore your quality of life. Overdentures can attach to a few healthy remaining teeth or to a few dental implants.
Care for Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures don’t attach to implants or natural teeth, instead, they adhere to the gum using special dental adhesives. Since traditional dentures are also removable, these care tips work for both traditional dentures and overdentures.
Tip 1: Clean Them Daily
When you have dentures, you need to take care of them daily. You’ll want to brush your overdentures at least twice per day. Otherwise, plaque will gather, just like it would on natural teeth.
Using a soft toothbrush or denture brush with either a denture toothpaste or a cleaning solution is best. You shouldn’t use regular toothpaste because it can damage the dentures.
Tip 2: Store Them Overnight
Because your overdentures are removable, you’ll need to take them out to clean them once daily. It’s best to remove your dentures at night before going to sleep. After removal, use a non-scented antibacterial soap and water.
Then you’ll place the overdentures in a denture box that’s filled with water. They can remain like this overnight. Do not use hot water as it could warp the denture.
Tip 3: Handle Overdentures Carefully
When you remove your dentures to clean and store them overnight, you’ll want to be careful. The overdenture could become damaged if dropped on a hard surface. So, when taking out the overdenture, do so over a soft surface like a towel or sink full of water.
Remember that consistently caring for your dentures will make them last longer and ensure they look great. So, be careful and develop a daily routine.
Tip 4: Avoid Certain Food & Drinks
You may want to avoid particularly crunchy, hard, or spicy foods that could irritate your gums. Because the dentures fit over your gums, it’s important to treat them with care. If you have specific questions about what to avoid eating, our dental staff are happy to help.
You can also rinse your mouth with water after eating to help maintain your overdenture.
Tip 5: See the Dentist Regularly
Once you have overdentures, seeing a dentist for routine visits is vital. During these appointments, the Smart Dental Care team will inspect your gums and the overdentures. These visits ensure your mouth is in good condition and that the overdentures are comfortable.
For most patients, we recommend coming into our office at least twice a year.
Comfortable, Modern Dentures
Are you dealing with the uncomfortable side effects of missing or damaged teeth? When most or all of your teeth have a problem, dentures may be the best option to fix your smile and provide comfort.
At Smart Dental Care, Drs. Nguyen and Ashton provide dentures, including implant-supported options. Modern dentures are much more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before. You’ll love your beautiful smile and increased ability to use your teeth without pain and discomfort.
Call our office today to request an appointment!