People, who have lost some or all of their teeth, usually wear dentures so that they can smile, speak, and eat naturally. It is very important that dentures are kept clean and well-maintained. Otherwise, food residues accumulated in them may lead to major oral health problems.
There are several reasons for the accumulation of food particles in dentures.
One of the most common dental problems among denture-wearers due to this food buildup is bad breath. This is because the food accumulated in the mouth can rot within hours. To find out whether your dentures are giving you bad breath, place them in a sealed, plastic bag for about five minutes. If you get a bad smell when you unseal the bag, you can be sure that your dentures are giving you bad breath. Another complication of food buildup is inflammation of oral tissue. This happens when bacteria feed on the leftover food in the dentures and get transferred to nearby tissues and gums, causing infection. If left unchecked, this inflammation may develop into mouth sores or periodontal gum disease.
Listed below are the steps you should follow to keep your dentures clean.
Schedule regular dental checkups to have your dentures examined and cleaned professionally. Contact us at (515) 276-0202 to learn more about denture care.
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