Congratulations on your beautiful new smile! Tooth loss can be challenging, but thanks to modern dentistry, many of the challenges can now be a thing of the past, resulting in a new smile you can feel confident about. How will dentures or implants change your dental care routine? Let’s discuss how to care for your new smile to ensure that it continues to look its best.

Caring for Your New Dentures

Just like with natural teeth, it’s important to take good care of your dentures to keep your mouth healthy and your smile looking its brightest. Dentures that are not properly cleaned can harbor food debris, bacteria, and even fungus that can lead to irritation, soreness, and more serious issues if left untreated. Learning how to care for your new smile is easy, though. Caring for your dentures can take a bit of getting used to, but if you’re diligent it will soon become second-nature.

First of all, don’t use regular toothpaste on your dentures. Toothpastes that are made for natural teeth are too abrasive for dentures. Simply brush your new dentures daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and warm water. When you remove your dentures at night, it’s important to keep them from drying out. Use a product for soaking that is designed specifically for dentures and recommended by the American Dental Association to ensure that it’s safe for both you and your dentures.

Caring for Your New Implants

If you’ve gotten dental implants, the good news about learning how to care for your new smile is that it’s just like caring for your natural teeth! Typically, your dentist will recommend brushing after each meal and flossing daily. Ask your dentist to demonstrate how to properly brush and floss your new implants to ensure that you thoroughly clean all surfaces of your new teeth and along the gumline, as well.

Ensuring Your Natural Teeth Stay Healthy

When you’ve experienced the loss of one or more teeth, it’s important to continue to maintain the health of your remaining natural teeth to prevent further dental loss. Tell your dentist about any challenges that come up with your dental care routine. For example, if you experience increased dental sensitivity, chronic dry mouth, or have arthritis that makes it difficult to grip or maneuver a regular toothbrush or traditional floss.

Your dentist may be able to recommend tips or tools to help, such as a prescription mouthwash or toothpaste to help relieve your symptoms, an electric toothbrush that can enable you to achieve a more thorough and efficient cleaning, or a waterpik flosser to make flossing easier and more gentle. Your dentist is here for you, so don’t hesitate to enlist their help in keeping your new smile looking its brightest and best.

Call our Greenwood Village Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.