A large proportion of the population wear dentures. Whether they are fixed prostheses, cemented on the remaining teeth, removable, which have to be removed every day for cleaning, or whether they are fixed on dental posts or implants, which successfully imitate natural teeth, they each have hygiene protocols that must be followed to ensure the longest possible life in the dental arches.
Even if the patient has a dental implant or fixed prosthesis, this does not exempt them from meticulous hygiene. Otherwise, gum inflammation, recession and loss of the prosthetic work can occur.
Hygienization of removable dentures should be carried out as follows:
First start with their removal from the oral cavity.
This step must be carried out gently because there is a risk of cracking or even fracturing the prosthesis if handled roughly.
After each meal, the removable denture should be removed.
It should be rinsed of food debris then washed with a soft-bristled brush.
It is important when using a toothpaste that it is not abrasive.
An alternative would be to sanitize the denture with soap, a mild agent that does not destroy the acrylate.
Twice a week it is advisable to use special denture sanitizing lozenges, which dissolve in water and effectively remove deposits.
For fixed dentures, the hygiene protocol is as follows:
The abutment teeth, i.e. those still present on the dental arches and covered by crowns, will be brushed like natural teeth, from the gum towards the tooth, a protocol completed by mouthwash and dental floss.
For teeth that are missing and replaced by prosthetic work that only restores the coronal portion, there is a type of dental floss called super floss and special interdental brushes that are inserted between the gum and the work. These are intended to clean the space present and keep the gingiva in proper parameters. Ideal in this situation is the mouth irrigator.
Brushing should always be carried out from the gingiva towards the tooth, thus eliminating the risk of the gingiva becoming detached from the prosthetic work. Mouth washing can be a real help when it comes to sanitizing dentures but also for natural teeth.
Implant wearers should visit their dentist annually, so that he or she can assess the condition of the implants and also for hygiene.
In addition, regular biannual check-ups, including dental hygiene, should not be postponed or neglected.
The minimum survival time of fixed and removable dentures in dental arches is 5 years and for implants 10 years. Of course, in most cases, these periods are indicative, because in reality, prosthetic fillings have a longer life expectancy, especially if the patient is careful and strictly observes the check-ups at the dentist.
Each type of prosthodontic work requires appropriate care specified by the dentist.
