Seniors face a lot of challenges in their day-to-day lives. You have to deal with the reality of aging and most likely some disability or chronic illness. When it comes to dental care, you often have several unique needs that need to be met. For most seniors, proper dental care is vital for their overall health and wellness. Many seniors may need to consider having their teeth pulled or dentures fitted after a certain age due to gum disease and other issues involving the mouth and gums. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dentures.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are a false replacement for the teeth you wear in your mouth. You have to have a dentist create them, and then they’re fitted by a trained professional to your mouth. When you have missing teeth, your dentist in Brisbane will help you understand your options, one of which may be dentures, and if this is something you’re interested in, you can get more information from Pure Dentistry on their website at puredentistry.com.au. It’s good to know your options so that you can start making steady progress and potentially save up for a goal; your self-confidence may grow as a result.
What Are Dentures Made Out Of?
Simply put, dentures replace your missing teeth and are a prosthetic device held in place by the gums. The device can be made from various materials, including acrylic, plastic, porcelain, or metal. There are also multiple types of dentures, which we will cover in the sections below.
Why Would You Need Dentures?
Dentures are intended to replace missing teeth and improve your smile. They are custom-made for each individual’s mouth. Dentures are made of a flexible material that allows them to be inserted into the mouth easily and removed when you eat or when you go to sleep.
Dentures may be needed due to tooth decay, gum disease, age, or other oral conditions. If you’re unable to chew food without assistance, then dentures may be necessary for your overall health and well-being. Your dentist will assess your condition and discuss your options with you to make an informed decision about the best way forward.
Types Of Dentures: Partial Dentures
There are two main types of dentures: partial and total. They both offer a way to replace missing teeth, but there are some differences between them.
Partial dentures can be used to replace one or more teeth that have been lost, while total dentures may need to be used if all of the teeth in your mouth need to be replaced. Additionally, partial dentures can be meant for part-time wear, and total dentures usually need to be worn all the time unless you plan on wearing a removable bridge. Generally speaking, partial dentures will take less time for your dentist to make and cost less than a full set of total dentures.
Types Of Dentures: Full Dentures
The other main type is Full dentures, which cover all your teeth on upper and lower jaws. On the other hand, partial dentures only cover some of your front teeth or those in the back.
Types Of Dentures: Immediate Dentures And Overdentures
Immediate dentures are used when teeth are missing, but there is still enough tissue to hold them in place. They act as a bridge for the upper or lower jaw, getting food in the right place until the jawbone has healed.
Overdentures can be used with no more gum tissue to support immediate dentures. Overdentures attach to the gums with clasps or springs that use your natural teeth or implants as anchors. They’re attached to your lips and cheeks with clips, so they stay in place.
How To Clean Your Dentures
Cleaning your dentures is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums and keeping your smile. That’s because food can get trapped in the mouth or on the dentures. It can lead to gum disease, which can negatively affect seniors. It’s important to clean them thoroughly at least once a day, but it may be necessary to clean them more often, depending on what you eat. A few easy steps will help you properly care for your teeth and gums:
- The first step is to soak your dentures in water mixed with a mild non-abrasive cleaner like dish soap. Make sure the ingredients are safe for dental use before you do this.
- When soaking is complete, remove the dentures from the water. Take a toothbrush and carefully brush all denture surfaces; make sure not to miss any spots! Rinse off with water when done brushing.
- Use denture cleaning tablets in place of soap if desired. You can also purchase special brushes that are specifically designed for cleaning dentures.