Out With The Old Dentures - In With The New!
You may be surprised to learn that false teeth aren't expected to last more than 5 to 10 years and still give a natural look. So even if your dentures are in perfect condition, maybe it's time for a change even if there's nothing wrong with the materials or the original denture fitting.
It's a fact of life the tissue in your mouth shrinks as you age. The ridges that support your prosthodontics recede, slowly but surely. New wrinkles and laugh lines appear, and your chin moves toward your nose. You may feel fine but look tired all the time.
Take a good look in the mirror. If you don't like what you see, it may be time to have denture repair or to replace your false teeth. With new dentures, your face will look fuller and younger, and you'll get your youthful smile back, too!
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Ouch: Denture Stomatitis
Lots of false teeth wearers know about it: stomatitis.
Stomatitis - "denture sore mouth" - is the most common symptom of yeast invasion, where tiny blisters develop on the gums. Other signs are patchy white spots in the mouth, a burning sensation, or a persistent unpleasant salty taste.
It's not all your fault. Your denture has something to do with it.
Prosthodontics with soft liners or those relined with a non-pressure process can harbor troublesome yeasts. On the other hand, pressure-processed dentures (the bubbles are pressed out under heat) are less porous and therefore less friendly to Candida infection.
Two brand-name processes that resist Candida are Ivoclar acrylic and Astron vinyl. If you have recurring denture stomatitis, ask your prosthodontist about one of these processes at your next reline.
Beat the yeast
If you're not due for new false teeth or a reline, you can take measures to control the growth of Candida at home. Cleaning dentures using the following recipe will help: Soak your dentures for two hours, four times a week in equal parts bleach, dish detergent and water. Follow this by a one-hour soak in half vinegar/half water.
This brew seems to work, but some false teeth materials can lose color - and any denture with metal parts other than gold will suffer.
Even better...The Journal of the American Dental Association recommends using a denture care solution containing benzoic acid that looks effective in killing yeasts with no damage to the prosthodontics. Commercially it's called Oral Safe (Great Lakes Ortho Laboratories, Tonawanda, NY), available through your dentist. There are remedies to "denture sore mouth." Because denture problems are a pain you just don't have to live with.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.