July 5, 2019
Dental Visits Are Still Necessary
Lots of people believe that once dentures are in play, that means trips to the dentist are in the past. But your senior’s gums and mouth can still change, meaning her dentures might need refitting. If your senior’s dentures don’t feel comfortable or she’s getting sores in her mouth when she wears them, it’s time to talk to her dentist. The dentures may need to be relined or, in cases where your senior’s mouth has changed significantly, remade completely.
Rinse Dentures After Eating
Every time your senior eats, food gets in and under her dentures. This can be even more obvious to her if she uses partial dentures. It’s a good idea to remove them when she’s done eating and rinse the dentures and her mouth with clean water. This helps to keep food from becoming an irritant, which can actually contribute to pain and rubbing.
Dentures Do Need to Be Brushed
Denture cleaner helps to keep dentures clean and fresh, but there’s more to keeping them clean. Brushing dentures with a denture brush helps to remove any lingering debris and food residue. Avoid using a regular toothbrush, though. The bristles are too hard and can leave scratches on the surface of the dentures. Use a denture brush and gentle pressure.
Dentures Have to Be Kept Damp
The one really important storage tip for dentures is that they need to be kept damp. They’re designed to be in your senior’s mouth, so they stand up to moisture and to saliva well. When she won’t be wearing them, they need to at least be kept in a glass of water that completely covers them. The best option is to store them in a denture bath with a denture cleaner tablet and fresh water.
Your senior’s dentures help her to get the nutrients that she needs every single day. If they’re not working well for her, that can create bigger problems. Elderly care providers can help your elderly family member take care of her dentures properly, especially if you’re not able to be there with her every day.
