Preventative Denture Care

Posted on: 23 May 2018

Having dentures may be a solution for poor quality teeth, but it's still important to maintain good oral hygiene to minimise the risk of bacterial infections and bad breath. This guide will offer practical tips to help you to overcome and prevent things such as gum disease. This doesn't mean that regular denture cleaning and trips to the dentist should be avoided; however, by implementing these methods into your daily oral care routine, you can ensure that these trips are few and far between, and you'll delay the need for denture repairs. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is something of a wonder product. It has so many fantastic properties and can be used for a number of different things, from treating fungal nail infections to cooking. It has a pleasant flavor and is packed full of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial power. Because of this, it has been used for many years as an effective mouthwash come toothpaste.

The method of oil pulling dates back centuries and has been used to clean the tongue, gums and teeth when modern day toothpaste and mouthwash wasn't available. Swish oil around the mouth for a prolonged length of time before spitting out all of the microbes the oil kills and collects.

You can also make it into a mouthwash by combining it with some essential oils which further improves the anti-bacterial properties, or combine with bicarbonate of soda to create a thick toothpaste. This can help to keep dentures stain-free if you are unable to clean them as well. 

Gum Disease, Plaque and Tartar

One of the reasons people need dentures is because they fail to look after their teeth and gums. This can lead to issues such as gingivitus which can cause red, painful sores around the gums that cause teeth to drop out. Fortunately this can be prevented by removing the slimy film-like substance that grows on your teeth known as plague. Plaque is a film of bacteria that if left, can calcify and turn into a hard yellow substance called tartar. This is difficult to remove and requires the assistance of a dentist. Fortunately this process can take a while, and brushing regularly can prevent this from happening. 

Fruit For Cleanliness

Fruit and vegetables, whilst providing the body with essential vitamins and minerals, can actually be used to exfoliate teeth and keep them white. Fruits such as strawberries and celery have pips and fiberous strands which can scrub the teeth and remove food debris. This isn't just great for removing stains; it also helps to remove microbes which can cause bad breath.

Share