What You Need To Know About Maintaining a Partial Denture

Partial dentures (also called flipper teeth) are a great way to restore your smile. They are a type of dental prosthetic that can replace multiple teeth on an arch. The dentures are held in place by the teeth that surround the gap.

Flipper teeth are also removable, making them very easy to maintain and increasing their popularity even further. Plus, with the right care, you can greatly expand the lifespan of your dentures!

If you’re interested in getting partial dentures, here are 5 things you’ll need to do to maintain them properly:
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1. Clean Them Twice a Day

Even though they are artificial teeth, flipper teeth still need to be properly cleaned if you want to maintain good oral health.

Essentially, you should be cleaning both your dentures and natural teeth at least twice a day, but preferably after every meal. Food particles can otherwise get trapped between the dentures and the gums, increasing your chances of gum disease.

Luckily, it’s not that difficult to clean dentures. You’ll simply need to brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and use a mild cleaning product.
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2. Take Them Out Before Bed

You’ve probably heard that the more you wear your flipper teeth, the easier it will be for you to get accustomed to them. As a result, after a bit of a trial period, eating and talking with the dentures will be a breeze.

And this is true - however, you also need to give your gums a break to prevent developing sores. It’s generally recommended to take them out before bed and place them back the next day.
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3. Soak Them Overnight

When you take your dentures out for a longer time, such as during your sleep, it’s important to prevent them from warping. If they do, you’ll have a lot of difficulties putting them back in or feeling comfortable with your flipper teeth in.

A simple solution for this is to soak them in cold water or a special denture cleaning solution overnight, which will help them retain their shape.
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4. Don’t Drop Them

Be careful when cleaning your dentures. While they are designed to withstand the pressure of chewing, they can break easily if you drop them on the floor. Consider cleaning your dentures over a bowl of water, so that if they slip, they don’t hit the ground hard.
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5. For Any Issue, Don’t Hesitate to Call Your Dentist

Even if you take perfect care of your dentures, they could still break or feel “wrong”. In these moments, it’s best to reach out to your dentist and have them inspect your dentures.
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Interested in Flipper Teeth? We Can Help!

Dr.Navaneetha Brindha Natchimuthu can help you restore your smile with partial or full dentures, or other excellent oral health procedures, at your convenience.

‍Book a dentures consultation at West Allen Dental today to get started.