How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 9 January 2018

Anyone who has lost one or more teeth knows how important their dentures are. And yet, despite the fact that a lot of people would be afraid to leave the house without their false teeth, not everyone quite takes the care they should with them.

Getting dentures repaired or replaced is, thankfully, quicker and easier than it used to be, but that's no reason to take risks. Sometimes, breakages are totally unexpected and happen despite being careful, but there are plenty of times they could have easily been avoided.

Follow these tips and minimise the risk of having to go without your dentures.

Store them properly

When you take your dentures out, for example at night, don't just leave them in the bathroom or on your nightstand. They should always be stored in a good quality protective case to prevent damage if they get knocked down or something falls on them.

A protective case is even more important if there are times when you need to transport your dentures anywhere.

Don't put off regular checks

Over time, dentures can begin to wear down and weaken. Having them checked out periodically means this gradual problem can be spotted and dealt with before the dentures break completely.

Your mouth also changes shape as you grow and age, and this can put pressure on your dentures. This is one of the reasons a regular dentist check is important even if you have no natural teeth and rely solely on dentures.

Eat the right things

One of the most common causes of dentures breaking is when people try to eat particularly hard or sticky foods. While you can still eat a wide range of different food, you should know your limits.

If dentures break when you're wearing them, it's not only an inconvenience – you can easily injure the inside of your mouth because of sharp edges.

Don't leave small problems

If you notice any signs of damage or wear, get someone to check your dentures as soon as possible – they most likely need to be repaired or replaced. Small cracks, chips or other types of minor damage will soon grow and cause more significant breakage.

Take care with risky activities

You can't plan for accidents in which your dentures break. What you can plan for, however, is activities like a sport that you take part in. If there's a risk of impact to the mouth area, consider removing your dentures while you play. Otherwise, ask your dentist about getting a compatible mouth guard, which may need to be custom made.