4 Things To Ask Your Family Dentist About Dentures

If you’re looking for the best alternative to your natural teeth, using dentures may be a good option. They’re used to replace missing teeth and the surrounding tissues. Since they can either be full or partial, dentures can be designed to fit your mouth to regain your ability to eat the foods you want and feel more confident with your smile.

However, like your natural teeth, it’s essential to take care of your dentures to get the most out of their benefits. You need to understand the degree of care required to keep them damage-free and looking good at all times.

Hence, if you’re looking to use dentures anytime soon, below are the four things you should ask your family dentist about these teeth replacements:

Materials They’re Made Of

Since dentures are used to replace your missing natural teeth, it’s crucial to ask your dentist about the materials they’re made of. That way, you’ll know whether pr not they’re the best solution for your dental problem. Typically, the artificial teeth in dentures are created from plastic or porcelain. But, nowadays, they’re made from a hard resin. Unlike natural teeth, they need extra care because they can easily crack or chip.

Aside from the artificial teeth, it’s also essential to know the material used in creating the supporting structure of the dentures. It looks like the natural gum line that supports the fake teeth in place. It’s usually made out of a flexible polymer material or a hard resin, which allows your natural tissue tones to appear through it flexibly.

Different Types Of Dentures

If you want to know what’s the best alternative teeth for you, it’s best to ask your family dentist about the different types of dentures. These can include partial and full dentures.

For instance, you should take the partial ones if two or more natural teeth are missing or if the surrounding teeth can’t strongly support the structures of your dentures. Since they’re not permanently attached to your mouth, you can take them out anytime for cleaning.

However, if you need replacements for all your natural teeth, full dentures can be an excellent choice. They’ll be fastened for your entire gum line using an oral adhesive. Like the partial ones, they can also be quickly removed if you want.

Caring Tips

Since most dentures are fragile, you need to observe some caring tips to keep them in good shape at all times. Hence, it’s best to ask your family dentist about how you should care for your dentures once they’re attached to your mouth. The following are some tips on how to best care for alternative teeth:

Clean dentures properly by removing the food residue on them. You can do this by soaking them in a glass filled with a cleaning paste and water. After soaking them overnight, brush them gently to avoid damage.
Go to your dentist’s follow-up appointments so they can make some adjustments to your dentures. This is especially true when they cause discomfort in your cheeks.
Handle your dentures carefully by standing over a towel to avoid dropping them, which may cause damage.
Refrain from using a do-it-yourself repair kit to fix your dentures. Whether the damage is minimal or severe, it’s best to bring them to your family dentist for repair.
Reline your dentures regularly to avoid causing your dentures to become loose. In some cases, loose dentures can make speaking and chewing more difficult, and when left untreated, it can also cause sores.
Avoid sleeping in your dentures as it may cause gum inflammation, resulting in a dental infection known as denture stomatitis. Instead, have them soaked in a cleaner to prevent them from cracking.

Changes To Expect After Getting Dentures

Using dentures may cause some changes in your lifestyle. Thus, it can be a good idea to ask your dentist about the changes you should expect after attaching your alternative teeth. For instance, your dentist may advise you on the foods you can’t eat, such as those which are hard or sticky, or those which are hot. These types of foods may cause deformation on your dentures.

Moreover, you may also be advised to practice eating with the dentures so you’ll get used to them. You can begin with soft foods and eventually consume normal foods. Lastly, you may find yourself struggling with speaking with your alternative teeth. Thus, it’s best to read out loud some difficult words to get used to them.

Bottom Line

Dentures can be an excellent option for people with teeth loss. With these teeth replacements on, you can regain confidence by feeling better about your smile. Therefore, if you consider using dentures, keep the information mentioned above in mind so you’ll know the right questions to ask your family dentist. That way, you can make the right decision for your dental health.