Dentures are generally used 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 aesthetics, especially when several teeth are missing and the face looks flabby.
Thus, 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.
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 in a row 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
To remove the denture correctly 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; If necessary, slightly shake the denture until it is completely released.
During the first times of using the denture, a good tip is to fill the sink with water so that, in case it accidentally falls, there is less risk of breaking.
How to Clean Denture
After removing the denture, it is very important to clean it to prevent the accumulation of dirt and the growth of bacteria. For this, it is advised:
- Fill a glass with water and cleaning elixir, such as Corega or Polident; Brush the denture, using water and toothpaste, to remove dirt and glue residues; Dip the denture in the glass with water and elixir overnight.
In addition, it is also important 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 may cause damage to the gums, which increases the risk of infections in the mouth.
Then, 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.
