Recovery after removable dentures: lifestyle and rules for caring for new teeth

About 50% of those who use removable dentures in everyday life indicate that the main problem in their use is insufficient strength of fixation in the oral cavity. This feature is the reason that when performing certain actions (eating, talking, laughing), the prosthesis can noticeably shift relative to its normal position.

To avoid such troubles, it is recommended to use special means that ensure high-quality fixation of dentures in the oral cavity.

Typically, when it comes to nylon and acrylic dentures, creams and gels are used. Gels are not inferior to creams in their functionality and differ from them only in consistency. Creams have a denser structure and are better suited for those who are just starting to use removable dentures.

Below we will consider the main means that are used for reliable and long-term fixation of dentures, their advantages and disadvantages.

How to quickly get used to removable dentures

Naturally, each person is individual, and the duration of adaptation directly depends on the model and materials of construction. Conventionally, the process of addiction can be divided into three stages:

• irritation stage, which lasts about 7-10 days,
• stage of conditioned inhibition (duration – 3 weeks),
• the stage of full adaptation, when the patient completely gets used to the new artificial teeth (occurs after 30-40 days).

Immediately after installation, removable dentures may cause you nausea, increased salivation, changes or complete loss of taste, and difficulty eating. Diction problems also occur. But as you get used to the design, all manifestations disappear completely or are reduced to a minimum.

“Of course, there are patients who cannot get used to any removable dentures, even if they are made perfectly and in exact accordance with the bite. For example, with an increased gag reflex or if there is initially no psychological mood. In such situations, you need to look for alternatives and the best solution is prosthetics on implants, which is hundreds of times more comfortable and does not cause such unpleasant sensations.”

Chorny Stanislav Vladimirovich, orthopedic dentist, work experience more than 16 years

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During the period of getting used to the prosthesis, you need to wear it constantly, without removing it while eating and sleeping. You should not use it in case of acute pain - it is better to consult a doctor to correct the design.

It is important to understand that any removable denture, especially if it is installed for the first time, will require regular correction. The gums sag along with the bone tissue, the position of the joint changes, the bite is adjusted - all this will lead to the fact that the prosthesis will seem uncomfortable. One visit to the doctor and the position of the device will change - you will become more comfortable. Remember this and do not ignore your doctor's recommendations.

"Fittydent"

"Fittident" is considered one of the best drugs for fixing dentures in the oral cavity , however, if the patient has increased sensitivity of the mucous membranes, then during the periods when "Fittident" is used, unpleasant sensations such as burning and/or characteristic tingling sensation.

To ensure that these side effects are avoided, after the cream is applied, let it dry for about half a minute.

Advantages

• Long fixation time provided by this drug.
• Lack of distinct taste.
• After removing the denture, no traces of cream remain in the patient’s mouth.

Flaws

• Difficult to find in city pharmacies in small towns.
• The cream must be applied exclusively to the dry surface of the prosthesis.
• Very thick structure of the drug.

The cost ranges around 270 rubles.

How to restore diction

To restore diction, it is recommended to speak as much as possible: read books, pronounce tongue twisters, while holding one or more sweets in your mouth (without sugar! For example, Sula with mint or sea buckthorn).
15-20 minutes, several times a day. The duration of the course is the first 1.5-2 weeks after prosthetics. Tongue twisters for restoring diction after removable prosthetics

What hygiene products can be used

Hygiene products for the care of removable dentures

What happens if you don’t take care of your dentures?

Poor care of removable dentures can lead to loss of appearance of the structures and also cause health problems. The most common consequences include:

• color change, loss of shine of the structure;
• ulcers on the oral mucosa;
• change in taste sensations;
• caries of natural teeth;
• bad breath;
• bleeding gums;
• periodontitis;
• stomatitis.

Therefore, check with your doctor in advance for details on care and hygiene. Follow the rules for wearing removable dentures, and the adaptation period will pass without consequences.

What to exclude from your diet

After installation of dentures, you will have to adjust your diet. Some foods will have to be abandoned forever, others only temporarily. The adaptation period will take several weeks. At this time, dentists recommend giving preference to soft and liquid foods.

If the patient has not previously worn dentures, he can begin adaptation with nutritional fluids, such as baby formula, fruit and vegetable juices, and chicken broth. Later, include puree soup, soufflé, puddings, mousses, porridge from finely ground cereals and mashed potatoes into the diet. You can also drink tea, coffee, strained compote, still mineral water and milk. For sweets, honey or jam without berry seeds is allowed.

Gradually, you can switch to soft foods and supplement your diet with boiled side dishes (potatoes, rice and pasta), eggs and unsweetened baked goods, which should be soaked before use. You can add dairy products: soft cheese, ricotta or cottage cheese.

After the adaptation period is completed, you can eat coarser and tougher foods, for example, pearl barley or buckwheat porridge. In this case, fruits, vegetables and meat need to be cut into small pieces.

There are foods that will have to be excluded from the diet forever. These include especially hard and sticky foods: nuts, cereals, croutons, chewing gum, toffees, caramel, chocolate and peanut butter.

It is also better to avoid strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes with seeds, and baked goods with sesame seeds or poppy seeds. All of these products contain small seeds that can easily get stuck between dentures and gums.

When eating, try not to use your front teeth, as this may cause the dentures to move. Chew food on both sides of your mouth so that the load is evenly distributed on your teeth and your gums become accustomed to the pressure from the dentures. Chew your food slowly and thoroughly before swallowing.

What to do if the prosthesis rubs and does not fit well

• use ointments (Solcoseryl, Metrogyl Denta) or sea buckthorn oil. Apply the oil to the gums for a maximum of 20 minutes after eating and cleaning the denture 3-4 times a day,
• It is forbidden to sharpen dentures yourself, after which you can simply throw it away,
• If there is acute and constant pain caused by rubbing of the structure, you should consult a doctor for correction. 2-3 hours before the visit, the denture should be in the mouth so that the reason why the structure is rubbing becomes visible.

If the device is not fastened well, then you should contact your attending physician - an orthopedic dentist. If the correction does not help, you will have to use special fixation creams: Protefix, Corega, Lacalut Dent. Choose the one that suits you - according to taste, consistency, fixation time. Try different options and choose the best one.

Composition of cleansing tablets

Each manufacturer, of course, has its own special ingredients that others do not have. However, there are components that are most often used for the production of tablets - they are found in one form or another and in concentrations by almost all manufacturers:

• sodium perborate: has a whitening effect,
• citric acid: promotes bleaching of artificial materials, plus enhances the effect of other components included in the composition,
• carbonates: help the effervescent product dissolve very quickly and without residue in water, resulting in a homogeneous solution,
• mint: the most common mint flavor is that it deodorizes well, adds freshness and eliminates unpleasant odors,
• dye: for example, blue - due to it the crowns visually become whiter,
• enzymes: they perform a protective function, because by soaking them from the solution, the removable device literally “repels” bacteria from itself,
• active oxygen: this is a powerful weapon against bacterial plaque control.

And now it’s time to more specifically answer the question of how to clean dentures at home, namely, which tablets will cope with this task most effectively. The review below is based on the opinions of experienced orthopedic dentists and patient reviews.

Corega Tabs Dental White ("Corega")

This well-known brand from GlaxoSmithKline produces a whole series of products for high-quality and gentle oral care. He also presents several types of creams for reliable fixation of removable systems in the oral cavity. As for tablets, they are in demand among patients because... help preserve the original color of artificial teeth, as well as restore it if stains appear on the prosthesis or its shade has changed due to contamination. This product removes bacterial plaque quite effectively. Corega Tabs Dental White is available in packs of 30 and 72. The asking price is from 250 rubles.

Corega Tabs Dental White

To find out the composition and understand how to properly clean dentures at home, read the article on the topic: 5 advantages of Corega tablets for removable dentures.

Protefix

Are you wondering how else to clean your dentures from dark plaque? Judging by the reviews of Internet users, Protefix tablets cope well with this task, which are able to reach contaminants even in the most inaccessible places. This product also effectively combats unpleasant odors due to the components of peppermint and common mint. Protefix can be purchased in packs of 36 and 72 pieces. Their cost starts from 200 rubles.

Protefix tablet

LACALUT Dent

These tablets are not cheap, the cost for 30 pieces in a package starts from 350 rubles, but they help restore the color of artificial teeth, as well as protect it from pigment and plaque accumulation. They disinfect and deodorize well, and remove organic1 residues. The composition contains citric acid, menthol and bleaching sodium perborate. When dissolved, the water turns blue.

LACALUT Dent tablets

Fittydent

The manufacturer positions the product as unique, claiming that it can even cope with the remnants of fixing creams that cannot be removed with other hygiene and care products and do not dissolve in water. If you have decided how to clean your removable dentures and have chosen Fittydent, then after using them you will certainly get a whitening effect and will be glad that the product is no longer a source of bad odor. The asking price is from 300 rubles per pack of 32 tablets.

Fittydent tablets

The Fittident brand is respected in 68 countries around the world; it provides customers with a fairly wide range of products for the care and fixation of removable systems: creams, tablets, pads. Read about the features, advantages and disadvantages of the brand in the article on the website: 4 products from “Fittident” that will improve life with removable dentures.

ROCS (“R.O.K.S.”)

The composition of this product is safe for metal elements of removable devices. The role of the “main violin” here is played by bleaching oxygen, which helps to cope with severe stubborn stains and is able to return artificial crowns to their original whiteness. The composition also contains antibacterial substances that help fight germs that have settled on the surface of the orthopedic structure. Another plus is that the price of this brand is quite reasonable - from 220 rubles for a package consisting of 32 tablets.

ROCS tablets

Dentipur ("Dentipure")

For those who can’t decide how to clean their dentures at home, we recommend trying Dentipyur brand tablets (Germany), which have a very attractive price - about 140 rubles (for 30 pieces). They have antiseptic properties, a whitening effect, and quickly dissolve and soften plaque.

Dentipur tablets

How to eat after installing structures

If the prosthesis is made of comfortable materials, if it suits you, then you will be able to eat well right away. Restrictions occur when little time has passed after the removal of living teeth, when you initially had gum inflammation. In such situations, pressure causes pain; you need to limit the chewing load to avoid discomfort and allow the gums to recover.

In general, during adaptation it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:

• give preference to soft and warm foods, exclude viscous foods,
• you need to chew carefully and thoroughly, cut food into small pieces,
• It is better to chew food on the side where the process does not cause pain,
• You should refrain from biting food with your front teeth.

After adaptation, when the prosthesis no longer causes pain, you can return to your usual diet. But you should exclude foods that are too hard, viscous, sticky, excessively hot and cold (drinks and soups should be warm, ice cream should be kept a little at room temperature).

How not to make a mistake with your choice

If you have installed dentures and still don’t know how best to clean them, you can seek advice from your doctor. He will help you choose the product that will be most effective for you. However, it is not always possible to choose your ideal option the first time, and you have to use the trial method. However, when choosing, you should definitely take into account contraindications for use and possible side effects. Sometimes it happens that in some patients tablets of one brand cause allergies and individual intolerance, while in others they do not.

“Before I met Protefix, I always gave preference to Corega - I used all care products only from this brand. It was so convenient and it seemed that it was very correct, because... All products from the same series complement each other. But Protefix won me over the first time - it seemed to me that the results from their use were better, because They were able to remove a stain that the cores couldn’t handle at all.”

Tamara Vitalievna, review from the dental portal gidpozubam.ru

How to clean dentures and remaining teeth

You need to brush your teeth exactly as you are used to: in the morning, in the evening and after every meal. But as for prosthetics, the recommendations will be as follows:

Daily care

• clean the structure in the morning and evening with a soft toothbrush using toothpaste without abrasives or regular soap (preferably baby soap). Pay special attention to the internal area that is in contact with the gum,
• Soak the denture daily in a solution of citric acid (1 teaspoon per 150 ml of warm water): soak it for 10 minutes to disinfect and loosen plaque. Carry out the procedure before brushing your teeth 2 times a day. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with water. Change the solution every 3-5 days,
• after each meal, the structure is removed and thoroughly rinsed under running water,
• Additionally, you can use an irrigator, which will clean the microscopic gaps between the crowns of the structure,
• Be careful when brushing your teeth, especially if there are small parts - hooks, clasps, so as not to damage them.

Periodic care

• soak in a disinfectant solution - for this you need to purchase special tablets for removable dentures (Protefix, Corega, Lacalut Dent). Use up to 3 times a week while maintaining daily hygiene. Use according to instructions (keep in solution for 15-20 minutes),
• use products that suppress the activity of oral microflora (especially important several years after the installation of dentures, since more plaque accumulates on them). For example, “Tantum Verde” (spray, lozenges) - relieve inflammation and tension, freshen breath.

Modern equipment - ultrasonic sterilizers - can be used to disinfect dentures. They allow you to achieve ideal cleanliness of artificial teeth at home, cleaning them from bacteria and plaque. These devices can also be used to disinfect any other items - toothbrushes, baby bottles, etc.

Disinfection of the prosthesis

From time to time it is important to completely disinfect the prosthesis. This can be done in two ways:

1. Caring for removable dentures - their disinfection - is carried out using special means. They are represented by effervescent tablets, for example, Lacalut Dent, Corega, etc. Such tablets contain special substances that dissolve dental deposits - plaque and tartar, and also destroy pathogens. An additional effect of using tablets is to whiten the structure from stains - removing pigments. The tablets are also designed to protect the metal parts of the prosthesis, if any, from corrosion.

One tablet should be placed in a glass of water at room temperature and the denture should be lowered into it. As a rule, 3 minutes is enough to obtain the desired result - the structure takes on a neat appearance, and pathogenic bacteria are destroyed. If necessary, at the end of the disinfection process you can additionally use a toothbrush previously soaked in the same product. After this, the prosthesis should be rinsed with running water and your hands should be washed thoroughly.

2. Ultrasonic bath. Caring for removable dentures using such equipment is the best option. The device makes it possible to clean the structure from dental plaque, pigmented plaque, excellently fights unpleasant odors, and destroys 100% of pathogenic bacteria. One of the additional advantages of using an ultrasonic bath is that there is no need to constantly purchase chemicals or brush the denture. The cost of the bath is, of course, higher than a package of tablets, but it is important to remember its functionality - it can also disinfect other objects.

Do I need to remove dentures at night?

Modern “removers” can be worn constantly and it is not necessary to remove them at night – especially during the first 2-3 weeks, while adaptation to the designs occurs. However, outside the oral cavity, dentures with a plastic base should NOT be placed in a humid environment, since favorable conditions are created for the development and growth of pathogenic microflora. This can lead to bleeding and gum inflammation.

If there are metal elements, the prosthesis must also not be stored in tap water, especially chlorinated water - this can lead to metal corrosion.

For storage and transportation, it is necessary to use specially designed protective ventilated boxes/cases in which the prosthesis will be kept clean and dry.

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How to store dentures correctly -

In this section we will tell you how to store dentures at home. Most often, patients do not know how to store dentures correctly, because removable dentures must almost always be removed at night. Keep in mind that improper storage can quickly lead to deformation of the prosthesis.

• 
  Soak the dentures overnight - for the first two weeks after making the denture, dentists recommend wearing the new denture almost all the time, without removing it, or removing it for a short period of time.
  However, after two weeks, the tissues of the prosthetic bed need regular rest - at least 6 hours a day. Remember that most types of dentures must be kept moist to maintain their shape. When removing them for a long period, you need to place them in a solution of water or a special solution for soaking dentures (you can buy it at the pharmacy). Place the denture in water overnight. Do not keep dentures with metal elements in water that smells like chlorine - this may cause the metal parts of the denture to darken.

  Read also:  Cartoons that help a child adapt and develop a favorable attitude towards dental procedures

Important: remember that dentures can become deformed due to the following two reasons... Firstly, if the dentures dry out, and secondly, if you place them in hot water. After this, the shape of the denture will no longer fit the shape of your gums, and the denture will cause pain and discomfort when wearing or eating.

How to whiten dentures –

Denture whitening may be necessary if you have not taken good care of your removable dentures for a long time, which has led to their darkening (due to the attachment of pigment plaque and tartar). Whitening dentures using whitening toothpastes is highly not recommended, because... Such toothpastes have increased abrasiveness.

Remember that the surface of the denture is much less hard (than tooth enamel) and as a result is more susceptible to abrasion and scratches. Therefore, the use of whitening pastes will quickly cause irreparable damage to the prosthesis. The best means for whitening old dentures are an ultrasonic bath, an option using De'Longhi EcoDecalk liquid, and, again, Corega effervescent tablets. We hope that our article on the topic: How to store and care for removable dentures was useful to you!

Sources:

1. Personal experience as a dentist, 2. “Orthopedic dentistry. Textbook" (Trezubov V.N.), 3. "Removable dentures: a textbook" (Mironova M.L.).

Is it possible to whiten dentures?

If hygiene is insufficient, dentures may change their shade. But, unfortunately, it is impossible to bleach it to its original state, especially if a lot of plaque has accumulated and the coloring pigments have penetrated deep into the pores of the material. The doctor can perform polishing - the prosthesis will be smoother, its top layer will be a little ground off, so the structure will be visually lighter. At home, you can try using special whitening tablets (for example, Corega), but you should not overuse them - they can damage the prosthesis materials.

Purpose of cleansers

There are different types of cleaning products for removable dentures. To carry out high-quality hygiene and care for products, you need a whole arsenal of devices and preparations: brushes, paste, various foams, gels and rinses, cleaning tablets, ultrasonic baths.

Read the article on the topic: the most complete list of products for those who have removable dentures.

A very important and indispensable means for cleaning dentures is cleaning tablets; they must be used on an ongoing basis, in fact, just as the rest of the list of hygiene products cannot be excluded. As for cleaning tablets, cleaning dentures with them allows you to avoid a whole range of problems at once:

• elimination of pathogenic microflora: plaque accumulates on dentures, the smallest food residues can get stuck in fastening elements and microcracks invisible to the eye of the product. It may not be possible to remove them with a regular brush and paste, and then the product can become a source of bacterial growth and infection, causing inflammation of the gums and other dental diseases,
• removal of stains and even minor whitening of the crowns of artificial teeth: everyone wants their smile to look beautiful, but not everyone can deny themselves the pleasure of consuming food and drinks with coloring pigments (coffee, berries, tea, soda, juices, sauces). Not everyone can give up the bad habit of smoking. These unfavorable factors gradually lead to a change in the color of artificial crowns, and if you do not periodically use specialized cleaning agents, the appearance of the product will soon deteriorate, and, alas, it will be impossible to whiten it using other methods.
• Extending the service life of products: prostheses contain various fastening elements, which also require specialized care so that they last longer. For example, metal hooks. The tablets will help protect them from corrosion.

How to know when it’s time to change your dentures

It is recommended to change dentures every 3-5 years or 5-7 years (depending on the material and type of construction).

When using removable dentures, the load from chewing food on bone tissue is only insignificant, which is fraught with its gradual resorption. The jawbone decreases in size, and not always evenly. This process takes from six months to several years and leads to a discrepancy between the shape of the prosthesis and the relief of the gums - the prosthesis is less secure and becomes less stable. This means relocation (if possible) or complete replacement of the structure is required.

In addition, materials wear out over time under the influence of saliva, nicotine, food irritants, and mechanical stress. Cracks appear on the structure, the surface becomes less smooth, which contributes to the accumulation of a large amount of plaque. If you have chosen crowns made of plastic (namely, they are in most cases used in removable orthopedic devices), it is worth considering that they wear down quite quickly, so after about 2-3 years the bite changes, which can affect the condition of the joint and the process of normal chewing food.

Why does food accumulate on dentures?

With every meal, food particles remain on the prosthesis, and this happens for several reasons:

• Food that falls to the floor of the mouth can become lodged under the lower jaw denture.
• Small pieces of food that move in different directions in the mouth during chewing and swallowing can get into the space between the palate and the upper denture.
• Food sticks to the rough surface of dentures much more easily than to the soft tissues of the oral cavity; Over time, food debris accumulates on artificial teeth.

Dentures take up quite a lot of space in the mouth, and their owners feel the presence of food debris under the denture much better than people with natural teeth, between which food particles can also remain.