Six Bad Habits to Avoid with Dentures

Dentures can give you back your confidence so that you are once again smiling. Although you won't have to worry about cavities with your dentures, there are still some bad habits that can ruin that new smile. The following are few things you shouldn't do if you want to keep your dentures looking good.

Bad Habit #1: Smoking

Smoking isn't just bad for your health, it is also hard on your dentures. Just like natural teeth, dentures can easily become discolored. Repeated bleaching may keep them white, but it can eventually discolor the plastic resin from which the dentures are made.

Bad Habit #2: Gum

Gum can pose several problems to dentures. The gum can discolor the dentures or even adhere to them and become difficult to scrape off. Once it's stuck to the dentures it can be nearly impossible to remove without damage.

Bad Habit #3: Hard Foods

Biting into certain foods can be difficult in dentures, and certain foods can even damage them. Hard candy can crack dentures or become stuck between the teeth. Foods you have to bite into, such as apples or corn on the cob, can also be difficult to eat without damaging your dentures. Skip hard candy completely, and cut up difficult foods into small pieces.

Bad Habit #4: Teeth as Tools

Your teeth are not tools, whether they are natural or dentures. Using your dentures to chew your nails, to tear open packages, or to hold items can crack or chip the resin teeth. In some cases, you can break the dentures completely in half.

Bad Habit #5: Toothpicks

Inserting any object between the teeth on the dentures is a bad idea. This can loosed the teeth fitted into the denture, damage the dentures, or scratch and damage the finish on the dentures so the teeth appear stained. Clean dentures in warm water with a denture cleaner if they are dirty, don't pick at them with a hard stick.

Bad Habit #6: Skipped Oral Care

Dentures require brushing, just like natural teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or denture brush, along with a gentle toothpaste or denture cleaner, every evening when you take them out. Your dentures can actually develop plaque buildup, which can result in damage if you try to remove it. The plaque can also harbor bacteria, which can lead to mouth infections. If you have partial dentures, you will need to use a separate toothbrush for the dentures and your natural teeth. For more information, talk to a denture expert like Patrick M Pitts.

 

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