I Have Dentures – Do I Still Have To Worry About Gum Disease?
At Galleria of Smiles, we want to help you take care of your mouth. Regular checkups at our office can help prevent gum disease, but in between appointments it’s up to you to maintain your oral health.
Gum disease is synonymous with bleeding gums and lost teeth. But what if you don’t have any natural teeth? Do you still have to worry about prevention and, more importantly, the potential for gum disease to wreak havoc on your mouth?
In sum, yes, you do. In fact, patients who wear dentures have just as much, or more, of a reason to take good care of their dentures and their gums.
In the meantime, you can learn more about how gum disease can affect patients with dentures and why it’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits.
Gum Disease Can Cause Denture Pain
No matter whether you have teeth or not, bacteria can attack your gums. That bacteria can cause your gums to become inflamed and painful, causing them to bleed when you brush them or apply pressure with your dentures.
Dentures should be comfortable to wear but if you have gum disease, it will be so uncomfortable, or even painful, it’s practically impossible to wear them.
Gum Disease Causes Bad Breath
Bad breath is a problem no one wants to deal with. But it’s a real problem for patients who are developing or already have gum disease. Gum disease, in sum, is caused by bacteria. Many of those bacteria use sulfur to digest sugars in your mouth and those bacteria can grow under your dentures, created pretty foul-smelling breath.
Gum Disease Can Lead To Other Health Problems
If your gums begin to bleed, that’s a warning sign that you’ve created a pathway where bacteria can get into your bloodstream and travel to other places in your body. If that bacteria travels to other parts of your body, it can put you at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Your risk for those diseases already increases with age, which means it’s especially important for denture wearers to practice good habits to prevent gum disease.
How To Prevent Gum Disease If You Wear Dentures
With proper maintenance and good habits, you can prevent gum disease and keep your mouth healthy.
When you remove your dentures, you should use a soft-bristled brush to brush your gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth each day. Doing so will help get rid of plaque and stimulate circulation in the tissues of your mouth. It can also help prevent bad breath and lower your chance of experiencing any irritation.
To help clean your gums, you should also regularly rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water.
Additionally, try to eat a well-balanced diet consisting of nutritious foods that are low in sugar. Enjoy sweets in moderation.
You also shouldn’t smoke. Smoking can increase the growth of yeast in your mouth, putting you at a higher risk for gum disease and infections.
We also advise you to remove your dentures at night to let your mouth rest. Dentures shouldn’t be worn for 24 hours at a time.
Of course, you should also maintain regular checkups with your dentist. At Galleria of Smiles, we want to see you every six months. However, if your dentures become loose, come and see us as soon as you can. Loose dentures can cause irritation that can lead to sores and infection.
Keep Your Mouth Healthy & Avoid Gum Disease
Your overall health is important to us. At Galleria of Smiles, we will work with you to ensure your habits are keeping you on track toward good health and good oral hygiene. Your mouth shouldn’t stand in your way of taking part in the activities you love, including enjoying your favorite foods.
When you visit our Tulsa, OK dentist office, we won’t judge you, no matter your situation. Our goal is to provide you with quality dental care. You can also fill out our online form. We look forward to hearing from you!
