The use of dentures is generally recommended when there are not enough teeth in the mouth to allow eating or speaking without a problem, but they can also be used only for the sake of aesthetics, especially when a tooth is missing in the front or when a few are missing. teeth makes the face look more flabby.
Although it is more common for dentures to be used by elderly people, due to the natural fall of teeth, it can also be indicated for young people, when there is a lack of teeth for other causes, such as accidents, syndromes or just because of the lack of permanent teeth, for example .
Main types of dentures
There are two main types of dentures:
- Total dentures: completely replace all the teeth in an arch, being, therefore, more frequent in the elderly;
- Partial dentures: compensate for the loss of some teeth and are usually fixed with the help of the surrounding teeth.
Normally, all dentures are removable to allow proper hygiene of the gums and allow the mouth to rest, however, when only a tooth or two is missing, the dentist can advise the use of an implant, in which an artificial tooth is fixed in the gums, it is not possible to remove it at home. Learn more about the implant and when it is used.
How to remove the denture at home
The denture can be removed at home to do the correct cleaning, but also to allow the gums to rest. To remove the denture you must:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water or mouthwash to remove the glue from the denture;
- Press the denture through the inside of the teeth, pushing out of the mouth;
- Shake the denture slightly until it comes off completely, if necessary.
During the first times of use, a good tip is to fill the bathroom sink with water so that, in case the denture falls accidentally, there is less risk of breaking.
How to clean the dentures
After removing the denture, it is very important to clean it to prevent the accumulation of dirt and the development of bacteria that, in addition to causing bad breath, can also result in problems such as gingivitis or cavities.
To do this, cleaning the dentures is advised:
- Fill a glass with water and a cleaning elixir, such as Corega or Polident;
- Brush the denture, using water and toothpaste, to remove dirt and debris from the glue;
- Dip the dentures in the glass with water and elixir overnight.
It is also very important not to forget to clean the gums, rinsing with a little mouthwash diluted in water or wiping with a clean wet cloth. The toothbrush should only be used when there are still teeth, as it can cause damage to the gums, which increases the risk of infections in the mouth.
In the morning, all you have to do is remove the denture from the glass, pass a little water, dry, apply a little denture glue and put it in your mouth again.
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Bibliography
- AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION. Denture Care and Maintenance. Available in: . Accessed on 12 May 2020
- ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION. Denture care guidelines. Available in: . Accessed on 12 May 2020
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