How to Maintain Your New Dentures

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Dentures can last for years, especially if you take good care of them. Your dentist in Athens, TX can help you take care of your dentures by giving you advice about denture care. In this article, we’ll go over some of the ways that you can take care of your new dentures. Here’s what you need to know.

Clean Dentures After Eating

Rinse your dentures after every meal. To do this, take your dentures out and rinse them in cool water. Do this after snacks as well.

Brush Dentures Daily Or More Often

Use denture cleanser and a soft bristle brush to take care of your dentures. Brush your dentures everyday at least once per day. Do not use denture cleanser to brush your mouth. If you use denture adhesives, be sure to remove the adhesive from your dentures. There may be adhesive in the grooves of the dentures.

Soak Dentures Overnight

Most dentures need to be soaked in water overnight. This gives your gums a break and helps your dentures stay soft and pliant. You can use plain water to soak your dentures, or denture soaking solution. Find out from your dentist if your dentures need to be soaked overnight.

Hold Dentures Over a Towel

If you take out your dentures, hold them over a towel. This way, if you drop your dentures, you’re less likely to break them.

See the Dentist Twice Annually

Even if you have no more natural teeth, it’s still important to see the dentist twice annually. Your dentist will check your dentures in Athens, TX, to ensure they’re still in good condition.

Do you need an appointment to see the dentist? Call today.

Dentures vs Dental Implants: A Look at the Pros and Cons

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Research shows that over 30 million people in the U.S. have lost all of their teeth, and millions more have lost at least some of their teeth. Luckily, when it comes to smile restoration, you do have options. Two of the most popular ways to restore a smile are through dental implants or dentures in Athens. Take a look at the pros and cons of each method.

Dentures

Dentures are a prosthesis created to resemble the appearance of natural gums and teeth. Dentures can be either full to replace all of the teeth on the upper or lower jaw, or they can be partial, which means they fit around existing teeth to close gaps.

Pros

  • Quick process; usually takes only a few appointments
  • Affordable option; cost between $1000 to $15,000
  • Restores some chewing power, speech, and aesthetics

Cons

  • Can be hard to fit for patients with little bone height
  • Usually have to be replaced after several years of use
  • May shift slightly and require some adjustment when speaking or chewing

Dental Implants

Dental implants have been performed since the 1960s. These implants go directly into the jaw bone to create a permanent fixture that gets topped with a crown. Dental implants can be singular to support only one tooth, but they can also support bridges or groups of teeth.

Pros

  • Creates a permanent tooth replacement that likely won’t have to be replaced
  • Fully restores chewing power after proper healing
  • Most resemblant to natural teeth

Cons

  • Requires more time for the complete procedure; involves three to six months of healing after surgery
  • More expensive option; may be $1,000 per implant or more
  • Not a good option for patients with conditions that affect healing

Work with an Athens Dentist to Restore Your Smile

Ready to begin your smile restoration journey? Whether you are interested in dental implants or dentures, we are the Athens dental practice that can help you out. Reach out to us at Athens Dental to schedule your appointment today.