Frequently Asked Questions
Your dentures need to be cleaned with a soft brush and some liquid soap at least twice a day. Avoid using toothpaste as this is abrasive and can cause damage to your dentures over time. You should also soak your denture regularly using cleaning tablets such as Polident tablets. Be sure to follow the instructions on the labeling of these tablets.
Always be sure to clean your denture over a forgiving surface such as a basin filled with water or a folded hand towel. This is because dentures can become slippery when being cleaned, making them easy to drop.
Do not use bleach to clean your dentures as this will cause damage over time.
Be sure to remove your dentures at night as there are several health concerns linked to wearing dentures overnight. You should store your denture in a safe place. DO NOT STORE YOUR DENTURES IN WATER. Storing dentures in water overnight does not keep your dentures clean. There is bacteria present in water and therefore you dentures should not be immersed in water for extended periods of time. Instead you should clean your denture and store them in a denture box without drying them. This should prevent your dentures from dehydrating whilst ensuring they stay as clean as possible.
It is recommended to get your dentures professionally cleaned every 6 months especially if your dentures are prone to tartar deposits.
Your dentures will have little effect on the way you taste food because you parimarily taste with your tongue. However, the way you feel the texture of your food may change and you may experience more sensitivity to hot and cold food. It is therefore important to be careful when drinking hot beverages as you may only feel the heat when you swallow.
You should resume regular oral hygiene in addition to cleaning your dentures. This is because food particles may become trapped between your natural teeth and your denture. It is therefore important that you brush your teeth without your denture in at least twice a day to prevent any damage to your remaining teeth.
If you wear full dentures it is important to look after your gums. This can be done by using an alkaline based mouthwash and gentle brushing of the gums at least twice a day with a suitable toothpaste to keep your gums healthy.
Your dentures require periodic maintenance in order to ensure that they last. It is therefore important that you get your dentures checked at least once a year to ensure that they are fitting and functioning correctly.
DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE ON YOUR DENTURES. Not only does superglue damage the acrylic in dentures, but it is not intended for use in the mouth and can have toxic effects. Your denture may break in a variety of ways. It is important that when you break your denture you keep as any of the broken pieces as possible. This usually makes fixing the denture easier. Wrap these pieces in tissue and place them in a safe container. We will inspect the denture and let you know whether we can fix the denture on the same day or if more is required.
Immediate dentures are dentures that are made to replace teeth that need to be removed/extracted. Your prosthetist will work closely with a dentist to plan your treatment. The prosthetist will take impressions of your mouth prior to removal of teeth, and design a denture that will replace these teeth as soon as they are removed. The immediate denture should fit the area of the extracted teeth but may require more frequent periodic adjustment as the gums and tissue heal. A reline of the denture will likely be required after the gums and tissue has healed to ensure that the denture fits correctly. After 12 months a new denture will be made to better fit the healed areas.
You can visit a dental prosthetist without a referral. Dental prosthetists are registered health practitioners and are subject to the same rules and regulations that govern dentists and other health professionals. Our services are recognised by major health funds, DVA and medicare.
Yes you can. If you need a new or spare set of dentures in a hurry due to travel or other constraints please call us to organise a faster turnaround time.
Your dental prosthetist is part of your oral health team and is trained to specialize in providing you with dentures. Your prosthetist can conduct an oral examination and refer you to a dentist if you display any need for further care such as tooth decay or mouth infections. You will need to see a dentist if you are experiencing any pain in your teeth or require restorative work , extractions and cleaning.
Your new dentures will take time to wear in. There is no specific amount of time required for this “wear in” period and can differ from person to person. Initially your dentures may feel bulky and foreign and can alter your speech slightly. This will improve the more you wear your dentures which you are encouraged to do so as much as possible. If speech is difficult it is important to speak and read out loud while you are alone to let your tongue get used to the reduced space in your palate.The more you wear your dentures, the faster your mouth should adapt to them. You might also experience a difference in your ability to chew. Eating with your dentures might be difficult at first. It is important to persevere as you will slowly adapt and become more adept with chewing over time.
When getting used to your dentures try these tips when eating:
- Cut your food up in to smaller portions
- Eat softer foods to start with
- Try chewing using your back teeth
Every person has a different denture experience and it is encouraged that you speak with your prosthetist regarding any concerns or difficulties that you experience with your new dentures.
