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A denture is an appliance which is worn to replace
lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy
diet and smile with confidence. A complete or full
denture is one which replaces all of the natural teeth
in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture
fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth
and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps
or devices called precision attachments.
The base of a denture is called a plate and can be
made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth
are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match
your natural teeth. This is especially important in
the case of partial dentures.
Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural
teeth so that little change in appearance will be noticeable.
Modern dentures may even improve the look of your smile
and help fill out the appearance of your face.
Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft
foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both
sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the
denture from moving. As you become more used to your
denture, add other foods until you return to your normal
healthy diet.
During the first few days, you may be advised to wear
them for most of the time, including while you are
asleep. After an initial period of adjustment your
dentist may advise that you remove them before going
to bed. This allows your gums to rest and helps promote
oral health. |
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Even with full dentures,
you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every
morning and evening, brush your gums, tongue and palate
(roof of your mouth) with a soft –bristled brush.
This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the
mouth. It is vitally important that partial denture
wearers brush their teeth thoroughly every day to prevent
tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to further
teeth being lost.
Dentures are very
delicate and may break if dropped. When cleaning dentures
it is recommended that you do so over a folded towel
or sink of water. When you are not wearing your dentures,
they should be stored in a container containing enough
water to cover them.
Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily
to remove food debris and plaque. Brushing helps prevent
dentures becoming stained and helps your mouth stay
healthy. There are special denture cleaning brushes
available but a soft bristled toothbrush can also be
used. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes which can cause
damage.
The use of an effervescent denture cleaner will help
remove stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling
fresher.
Over a period
of time, dentures will need to be relined or re-made
due to normal wear or a change in the shape of your
mouth. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink causing
jaws to align differently. Loose dentures can cause
health problems, including sores and infections not
to mention discomfort. A loose or ill-fitting denture
can also make eating and speaking more difficult.
It is important to replace worn or poorly fitting
dentures before they cause problems.
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