Whether they're full or partial, your new set of full acrylic dentures can be a big positive improvement to your life. An incomplete smile is now complete, and foods which were once ill advised can now be tackled with gusto (albeit within reason). Having said that, it can take some getting used to new acrylic dentures, particularly when cleaning them. What are some of the ways to make the process run more smoothly?
Forging a New Lifelong Habit
You need to follow your dentist's instructions with the new dentures. You might have been advised to sleep with them in your mouth as you get used to them. While this might seem problematic at first, it's something that will need to be adhered to as per your dentist's orders. But since you would already be in the lifelong habit of brushing your teeth before bed, how does this familiar process change when you have dentures?
Using a Toothbrush
Your dentist might have already suggested the most appropriate toothbrush for your dentures, and this might differ to the best toothbrush for any remaining teeth in the case of partial dentures. It might be that you need to use one type of toothbrush for your remaining natural teeth, and another type of toothbrush for your new dentures. Exercise caution when removing the dentures from your mouth. It can be helpful to put the plug in the bathroom sink and add a small amount of water when brushing your dentures outside of your mouth. Clean them while holding them over the sink. The water provides a level of cushioning if you were to drop the dentures, and the plug prevents anything from being washed down the sink.
Denture Cleaning Solution
Moving forward, you might opt to use a specialist denture cleaning solution overnight, although this should only be utilised once your dentist has given you the go-ahead to sleep without the dentures. An overnight soaking can be beneficial, and most denture cleaning tablets offer an effervescent type of cleaning wherein small bubbles burst against the dentures to remove debris, much like carbonated water. Be careful not to use hot water, as this has the potential to warp acrylic dentures, leading to an imperfect and uncomfortable fit.
Getting used to cleaning your new dentures takes some time (you might wish to call it a teething period). But it's not going to take much time before taking care of your dentures becomes as habitual as if you were taking care of your natural teeth.
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