Implant Supported Denture Care
Implant supported denture care is one of the leading selling points when it comes to these hybrid dental prosthetics. Just as it is essential to take care of natural teeth to keep them healthy, the same goes for implant supported dentures. These devices must also be cleaned regularly to get the most out of them.
A significant difference between implant supported dentures and traditional ones is the varying cleaning requirements for each device. Traditional dentures require about 10 to 15 minutes of cleaning each day. The wearer needs to take the device out, then clean it gently with a brush. The patient also has to clean their remaining natural teeth to keep tooth decay at bay and prevent gum disease.
Dentures have to be soaked in denture solution overnight to hydrate and disinfect them. Sleeping with traditional dentures typically is not recommended by dentists. Doing so could lead to a host of complications like infections.
Understanding implant supported denture care
Dentures supported by implants are a lot easier to clean than their traditional counterparts. It requires the same thing that patients have been doing all of their lives to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
These include:
1. Brushing twice daily
Brushing twice a day is a staple of proper oral care. Those who wear implant overdentures should brush their teeth at least twice a day. One of those times should be right before the wearer goes to bed since the decreased saliva production associated with sleep makes the person more susceptible to tooth decay.
Brushing should always be done gently, and toothbrushes should be replaced when the bristles begin to show signs of wear.
2. Floss daily
Flossing is equally as important as brushing is when it comes to implant supported denture care. Flossing is just a way to clean areas that toothbrushes cannot reach. Cleaning only the top, front and back of teeth without cleaning the tight spaces between the teeth still leaves one vulnerable to decay.
3. Use an antibacterial mouthwash
A good mouthwash serves multiple purposes. For starters, it can be used to clean spaces that even floss cannot reach. Also, flossing helps to lower the bacteria count in the patient’s mouth, leading to fresh breath. A good mouthwash also helps to re-mineralize the teeth with essential minerals like fluoride.
4. Regular visits to the dentist
Regular visits to a dentist’s clinic is also an essential part of denture care. It is never a good idea to skip dental appointments, and it is even worse to skip them when a patient uses a dental prosthetic. It is essential that a dentist inspect the prosthetics regularly to ensure everything is working correctly.
While the patient is there, the dentist will also perform other tasks like cleaning and restoring the prosthetics. Some attachments wear out over time, so they need to be replaced and maintained every couple of years.
Want to learn more about taking care of implant supported dentures? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today!
What are you waiting for?
Request an appointment in our San Antonio dentist office here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com.
