The process of losing teeth and replacing them with a partial denture can be emotionally and physically demanding. Now that the hard part is over, it’s very important that you take special care of your partial to prevent more tooth loss. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure that doesn’t happen.
1. Fill your sink with water or stand over a folded towel. If you drop your partial, there’s a good chance it will chip or crack against a hard surface.
2. Remove your appliance before bedtime. The tissue in your mouth needs to have a break from the partial. Not taking it out at night can lead to yeast infections and painful mouth sores.
3. Rinse your partial with cool water first to remove loose debris.
4. Brush your partial denture with a soft brush and a very mild detergent. We recommend staying clear of pastes since they can cause microscopic scratches over time. These scratches will stain and make the partial look older than it is. There several denture cleaners on the market that have been approved by the American Dental Association. Brush every surface just like you would your natural teeth to remove food and plaque.
5. Thoroughly rinse the partial again and store in a denture bath overnight with plain water or a soaking solution. The material that makes up your partial needs to stay moist and flexible.
6. After you brush your natural teeth in the morning, rinse your partial off one last time before wearing it.
7. You may need to rinse your partial off during the day after meals.
With a little special attention, your appliance will last a very long time while looking great at the same time. Keep in mind that the bones holding your partial in place need stimulation in order to stay put. Often times, the lack of implant attachments will lead to further bone loss and the speed of that process will vary greatly from person to person. If your partial denture becomes loose or uncomfortable, call right away for an evaluation!