How to Care for Removable Dentures, Dental Crowns and Orthodontic Appliances?
Fixed dental prostheses, such as crowns and bridges, should be cared for in the same way as your natural teeth.
Teeth should be brushed twice a day, with particular attention paid to cleaning between them. If you have a dental bridge, it is also important to clean underneath the artificial teeth using dental floss or an interdental brush. If ceramic crowns or veneers have been placed on your front teeth and your dentist has recommended a protective night guard, you should wear it at night to protect the restorations from the forces caused by teeth grinding.
How Should They Be Cared For?
Removable dentures also require regular care. After eating, it is advisable to remove the denture, rinse your mouth and clean the denture under warm running water. As part of your daily routine, brush the denture with a soft brush and use a special denture-cleaning tablet at least once a week to help remove microorganisms and keep it clean. Avoid using abrasive toothpastes, alcohol, bleach or hot water, as these may damage the denture material.
When the denture is not being worn, it should be kept in a moist environment—for example, in water or in a closed container with a damp cloth. This helps preserve the properties of the material and allows the denture to retain its shape.
Orthodontic appliances and aligners also need to be cleaned daily. Removable aligners should be taken out before eating and stored in their designated case when not in use. Chewing gum while wearing an aligner or appliance is not recommended, as it may damage the device.
If a denture or appliance becomes cracked or broken, or starts to feel loose in the mouth, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Contact your treating dental professional as soon as possible. To prevent problems, it is advisable to attend a check-up at least once a year so that a specialist can assess the condition of the denture or appliance and make any necessary adjustments.
Proper care does not take much time, but it helps ensure that dentures and orthodontic appliances remain comfortable, attractive, functional and durable for as long as possible.
