Dentures
require active care, not just a nightly soak. Improper denture care leads to
bad breath, unsightly stains, diseased gums, and damage to the dentures. Daily
dental hygiene should include these measures:
- Brush your tongue and gums with a soft brush to keep your breath
fresh and your gums healthy.
- Brush your dentures at least once a day with denture-cleaning
products.
- Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution (1 teaspoon of
ordinary table salt in ½ cup warm water) after meals and before going to
bed.
- Don’t leave your dentures where they can be lost or accidentally
damaged.
How you
eat can also protect your dentures, so take these precautions:
- Cut your food into bite-size pieces.
- Chew your food slowly and avoid biting down hard.
- Dentures make your mouth less sensitive to both heat and cold. So
check the temperature of food and beverages before eating or drinking to
avoid burning yourself.
Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American
Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com
