5 Habits You Should Avoid to Make Your Dentures Last

Has your self-esteem, your bite, and your speaking patterns been negatively impacted by extensive tooth loss? Good news: dentures can replace a large number of missing teeth! Once you have your custom-made restoration, it’s only natural to want it to last as long as possible, preserving the time and money you invested in the process. To help, read on for five habits you should avoid with dentures.

1. Using Abrasive Toothpaste

Did you know that regular toothpaste can create microscopic scratches on your dentures, negatively impacting their appearance over time? That’s why patients are encouraged to use products created specifically for dentures. It’s also important that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush, a dentist-recommended cleaner, and an ADA-approved mouthwash.

2. Skipping Your Biannual Dental Exams

There’s a common misconception that routine dental exams aren’t necessary if you don’t have any natural teeth. That’s not the case! After all, dentists are often the first to find warning signs of oral cancer, and periodontal disease can wreak havoc on your oral health if it isn’t treated in the early stages. So, don’t skip these routine visits – they benefit your oral and overall health!

3. Using Your Teeth as Tools

If a bottle cap opener isn’t within reach, you might be tempted to use your teeth instead. Don’t! This may seem harmless, but it can seriously damage your denture. For the same reason, you shouldn’t bite your nails, chew on ice cubes, or tear into plastic wrapping with your teeth.

4. Smoking

Tobacco products can negatively impact your dentures in more ways than one. First, they can lead to pigmented stains that are difficult (if not impossible) to remove. They also delay healing, affect your sense of taste, damage your gums, and lead to bad breath. So, if you haven’t already, put a plan in place to quit!

5. Eating Crunchy Foods

Although hard pretzels, tortilla chips, thin pizza crust, and other crunchy foods don’t need to be avoided entirely, they should be limited. Instead, eat smile-friendly foods that are softer in consistency, like plain yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal, and vegetable soup.

About the Practice

Our team at Ralph Ave Dental Care offers three tooth-replacement options: dental bridges, dental implants, and dentures. If you choose the latter, then we will customize one to your specific dental needs, face shape, and smile goals. We’ll also share what to do (and what not to do) to ensure they last as long as possible. If you have a question for us about life with dentures or you want to schedule your initial consultation, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (718) 531-0300.