Full Dentures

There are many reasons why someone may need full dentures. Sometimes tooth decay or malnutrition results in teeth needing to be removed. Other times, a car accident or work related injury can result in someone needing dentures. Regardless of the reason, full dentures are an ideal way to be able to continue such rudimentary functions as eating and speaking without feeling awkward.

The process of acquiring full dentures isn't a difficult one. Once the unpleasantness of teeth removal is over with, your dentist will make measurements of your mouth and give you a temporary set of dentures to wear while your gums heal. This may take quite some time—up to several months. As your gums heal, they may change shape slightly. This will result in your dentist needing to adjust the measurements slightly so that your permanent set of full dentures fit your mouth exactly.

At first, your full dentures may feel very awkward indeed. However, over time, you will learn how to use your gums, jaws, and cheek muscles to keep your dentures in place. Some prefer using denture cream to keep their teeth firmly attached to their gums during the day. This is particularly useful if you plan on eating food that would normally be somewhat difficult, such as apples or steak.

Taking care of your full dentures isn't a big ordeal either. Some prefer to soak their dentures overnight in a special solution to keep them clean, while others prefer to brush and polish them gently. You can do this using very gentle soaps and lots of warm water. Avoid using anything too abrasive, especially bleach. While bleach may whiten the teeth, it can also leech color from the gums, resulting in an unnatural look. Be sure to brush your gums and tongue regularly as well to prevent gum disease.

If you find that your full dentures feel strange, it's best to see your dentist about it immediately. It may be that a tooth is loose or that the bridge has warped slightly. Don't put it off, as wearing dentures that are even slightly warped can result in sores forming along the insides of the cheeks and gums. Fixing your dentures yourself is also not recommended, as you may end up doing more damage than good. Learn more today about how dentures can benefit you!