If you’ve lost several teeth, daily functions that were once natural can seem complicated. Thankfully, it’s possible to regain how your smile looks, feels, and functions. At your initial consultation at Smiles for Grant Park in Atlanta, GA, Dr. Abbey Lee might recommend partial dentures to help you eat, speak, and smile again.

When upgrading your smile with partials, it’s critical to understand how to properly care for your new smile. So, keep these six tips at your disposal if you’re ready to restore your smile with partial dentures.

1.     Brush your partial dentures twice a day.

Like how you brush your natural teeth every morning and night, you should also brush your partial dentures during these times. Brushing twice a day helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and food particles on your partials. An excellent oral hygiene routine is essential to help prevent foul-smelling breath, staining, and gum disease.

2.     Don’t forget to brush your gums!

Even with teeth missing, gums are still susceptible to disease. After brushing your teeth and dentures, reserve time to gently brush your gums. A soft-bristled toothbrush is perfect for stimulating your soft tissues while removing bacteria, plaque, and food particles.

3.     Don’t allow your partial dentures to dry out.

Similar to natural teeth, your partial dentures should stay wet. When dentures dry out, they become more vulnerable to cracking, fracturing, and warping. Generally, if you’re not wearing your partial dentures, they should be kept in a glass or denture cleanser solution or water.

4.     Remember to take them out at night.

Speaking of taking out your partials, do not forget to take your dentures out before bed and leave them in a safe place. Taking out your partial dentures overnight is advantageous for two reasons. First of all, this practice helps keep your partial dentures free from bacteria overgrowth, which may extend the usage of your restoration.

Secondly, this poses an opportunity for your gums to “breathe” and rest. Removing your dentures for the evening is healthier for the soft tissues of your mouth because it exposes your gums to oxygen and to relax after a long day of use.

5.     Anticipate an adjustment period.

If you’ve ever worn braces, a mouthguard, or any other oral device, you might remember that it takes your mouth a little time to get used to it. Similarly, expect a learning curve as you get used to wearing your new partial dentures.

Your partials might feel strange initially and for a while. But don’t let this discourage you, and keep wearing them. Eventually, you’ll adjust, and you might not even notice that you’re wearing them.

6.     Pay attention to how your dentures fit.

It’s normal to experience denture slippage from abrupt movements. This can include sneezing, laughing, or smiling too hard. However, it would be best to speak with your dentist about partial dentures that consistently slip or feel uncomfortable.

Even though Dr. Lee and her team create custom partials to fit the contours of your mouth, they might need adjustments over time. Please don’t hesitate to ask for adjustments. Continued wear might lead to sores, discomfort, and other severe issues for your remaining natural teeth, gums, and jaws.

Talk to Dr. Lee About Partial Dentures and Other Tooth Replacement Devices

Learn more about our natural-looking, highly-functional denture options by scheduling a consultation at Smiles for Grant Park in Atlanta, GA. Call (404) 328-7177 or message us online.