How to Avoid Breaking Your Dentures

If your dentures break, you may be able to get them repaired, but in some cases such as when they are broken in half, you may need to replace them. If you want to avoid either of these expenses, there are specific things you can do to avoid needing a repair. To protect your dentures, take these ideas into account.

1. Consider Permanent Dentures

One of the easiest ways to avoid repairs is to just opt for permanent dentures. They are connected to implants in your mouth, and they stretch between the implants. That way you don't have to worry about breaking or dropping them, and you can just clean them when you brush the rest of your teeth.

If you don't have permanent dentures, however, you must remove them from your mouth nightly. That's important for safety and hygiene reasons. Don't skip removal based on the misconception that it will help you avoid breakage.

2. Brush Dentures Gently and Only Use Denture Cream

If you have removable dentures, you should only clean them with a soft bristled brush. Using steel wool or anything abrasive could wear down the ceramic and lead to cracks. Similarly, make sure you use cleaner designed for dentures. Don't ever use abrasive cleaners or bleaches. In addition to being toxic for your mouth, those substances could also start to break down the dentures.

3. Put a Towel in the Sink

Most people clean their dentures over the sink. While this is the ideal place to get water for rinsing, it can also be risky for the dentures. If you drop them, they may break. Put a towel in the sink to act as a cushion.

4. Soak the Dentures at Night

It's also important to soak your dentures at night. That keeps the base of the dentures moist and helps to make the dentures comfortable for your mouth. In addition, if you don't soak the dentures, they could dry out, and that too could lead to cracks.

5. Fix Cracks When They Happen

Finally, if you do get a crack in your dentures, don't ignore it. Even a small crack could start to disrupt the alignment of the dentures, leading to discomfort in your mouth. Additionally, small cracks often get larger. If you have an issue, call a denture repair specialist so they can take care of it before it gets worse. These professionals can also give you other tips on how to avoid breaking the dentures.  


Share