How Often Should I Get a Denture Exam?
Dental checks are an important part of maintaining your oral health. The same goes for dentures.
Even if you take great care of your dentures at home, you should visit the denture clinic at least once a year for regular denture exams. Damaged or broken dentures will not only make it hard to eat or speak, but they also harbour bacteria that can compromise the health of your gums.
It’s good to look at dentures as an investment. Proper care will help your dentures last for years. However, if you neglect your dentures, you might end up paying for new dentures sooner than expected.
Why Denture Checkups Are Important
Regular exams will help detect potential problems with dentures before they become bigger issues.
A wide array of oral conditions can change the denture fit. Ill-fitting appliances can cause tissue and bone changes, and therefore must be corrected.
Regular denture checkups will also help identify cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions in your mouth. These situations should be addressed as soon as possible.
Denture exams are not unlike general dentist visits. You will get your medical and history chart updated. Your denturist can also examine your oral cavity, assess bones and tissues, check your bite and examine your denture stability.
How to Maintain Your Dentures at Home
Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth.
If you want your dentures to function properly, regular care is key.
Here are some of the maintenance tips you should follow to keep your dentures looking, feeling and working their best:
• Keep dentures moisturized; when not in your mouth, soak dentures as directed, to help remove plaque & stains and to help disinfect your dentures
• Don’t keep your dentures in your mouth overnight unless necessary
• If necessary clean your dentures after eating
• Brush your dentures at least once a day with a soft toothbrush
• Don’t apply too much force on the denture frame while cleaning; remember that dentures may break if you drop them, so line the sink with a towel or fill it with water.
• Rinse your mouth before putting your dentures back
By following the above care steps, you can protect your denture investment.
Get Your Dentures Checked Regularly
Almost every denturist has stories of patients that have not had their dentures checked in over 10 years.
Some people, however, are not aware that dentures require regular maintenance. Generally, those patients are also the ones who find that dentures end up being uncomfortable and painful.
Denture wear and changes in the gums can have a big impact on the comfort and effectiveness of your dentures. Regular visits to your denturist will help you avoid potential problems such as:
• Neck and TMJ pain
• Headaches
• Poor digestion
• Bone loss
• Changes in facial contour
• Irritated gums
Unfortunately, some of these issues can be irreversible. That’s why prevention is your best friend when it comes to denture care (aside from your denturist, of course!).
Exams Are Part of Proper Prevention for Denture Health
At Ottawa South Denture Clinic, we want you to keep smiling!
A visit to the denturist can help you ensure that you maintain good denture health and save money in the long run.
Contact us today to book your next appointment for a denture exam in Ottawa.
