How dentures help ensure oral health, regain self-esteem

Beautiful teeth are a key to our beauty. Just the thought of losing our teeth can affect our self-confidence. Dentures or false teeth are the solution to this problem. In fact, in case you have lost your teeth, false ones enhance the shape of your face. When it comes to false teeth, it isn’t just about their appearance that makes the difference, If you lose your back teeth, there are chances that your lower chin while chewing can protrude forward. And because of this, there will be pain in the joints of the lower chin. If you don’t replace the lost teeth, there will be spacing between the other teeth which will also result in food particles getting stuck in between. This can cause bad breath and also lead to indigestion as you are not able to chew food properly. When strong molars are lost, there is a risk that the weaker anterior teeth will lose their strength and the weaker teeth will decay.

Who needs dentures?

When our teeth get lost, dental implants are used to recreate our missing teeth. Teeth can be partly or fully replaced. To add more strength to dentures there are implant-supported teeth. A removable denture is placed when it is not possible to place an implantable tooth.

Acrylic or metal is used to hold the teeth together. The molars are fixed in the mouth with the help of gum and bone. There are two types of molars, partially removable dentures (completely removable in acrylic, cast partial) and fully removable dentures.

In the condition where all the teeth in the chin are missing, partial molars are present when only a few teeth are completely missing. They are made of acrylic resin. The disadvantage is that dentures are not as secure as permanent teeth.

Use soap, not paste

At night, make sure to remove your dentures, clean and keep them immersed in water. You should use a brush and soap to clean them. Avoid using toothpaste. Use Dental cleaning pills and solutions after consulting the doctor.

Make sure to clean your teeth after consuming food each time. This is important for the gum health.

Luke warm water is good for cleaning dentures. Hot water might change the shape of dentures.

While cleaning, keep a cloth or vessel underneath. If they fall down, the dentures might break or get minor splits.

Never sleep keeping your dentures.

If your dentures break, consult a dentist instead of trying to fix it yourself.

Due to the peculiarity of the gums, the difference in muscle tension, and the lack of saliva, the strength of the teeth can be reduced. You can use denture adhesives, but the quantity should be less.

When you use the glue again, make sure you remove the full glue from the teeth. It is better to use less quantity of glue.

Rubbing the gum area where the dentures are fitted is good for oral health.

To remove discomfort

Avoid removing dentures now and then. You might feel the same discomfort while using glasses for the first time when you use dentures. Gradually you will get used to it.

If there is too much pressure on any part, there is a possibility of ulceration. Please consult a doctor if you feel any uneasiness.

When you wear dentures for the first time, you might have difficulty speaking. It can be solved by speaking loudly.

When to change your dentures?

When there is damage to your dentures, or you lose some teeth.

When there is a bad smell emitting from the dentures.

When you are unable to chew or talk properly.

When there is persistent pain or discomfort.

If there are no other issues, you can use a set of dentures for 7-10 years.

From Ulsers to saliva

When you wear dentures, you might encounter the following problems. And most of them are due to using them for the first time. This can be solved gradually.

When you wear false teeth for the first time, friction can cause sores. If you polish that area, it can be avoided.

Infections can occur when the surface of the tooth is damaged by dirt or constant friction. This is usually seen in old people, diabetic patients, those with less immunity, or are consuming medicines that affect immunity levels.

They might have difficulty pronouncing words like F and S and also cause puking.

(Dr. Mathew James is consultant, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Mar Sleeva Medicity, Cherpunkal, Pala)