Month: June 2019

Brushing your natural teeth is, hopefully, something that you have been doing all of your life. By now, it’s something that you could likely do in your sleep. So, when you get dentures, you may at first think that you know all about how to keep them clean. But the truth of the matter is that brushing dentures is different than brushing your original teeth.

Whether you have just gotten dentures the first time, or you’re an old pro who has had them for years, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to brushing your dentures.

Dentures Are Not as Durable

Dentures, for all the wonderful care and craftsmanship put into them, simply are not as durable as your natural teeth. This is due to a few reasons. For one thing, few things can adequately mimic the enamel of your teeth. Artificial materials (such as those used to create your dentures) cannot absorb nutrients and minerals the way your teeth do.

Your teeth, for example, absorb fluoride to help strengthen the enamel. Dentures will not do this. As such, when you brush your dentures, you should take care to use a brush with soft bristles. You want to do everything you can to avoid scratching or damaging the dentures.

Dentures Are Easier to Manipulate

A positive aspect of brushing your dentures is that it may be easier for you. Your natural teeth are fastened to your gum tissue, and it can be tricky reaching into some of the nooks and crevices. In contrast, because you can remove your dentures, it is easy to turn them and adjust them to the proper angle. You won’t have to deal with fighting to reach behind the very denture in the very back like you may have with your wisdom teeth.

Brushing your dentures is different than brushing your natural teeth. Still, with time, you will be just as comfortable doing it as you are cleaning your natural teeth.

If you’ve had any type of oral surgery, it’s likely that your mouth is going to be a little sore. We recommend that you be very careful about what you eat in the first 24 hours after you leave our office. That’s because your mouth is very sensitive after your surgery. You may actually experience some bleeding after surgery, which is normal in most cases.

However, you want to be sure not to make the problem worse by eating abrasive foods or hard foods. Here are some safe foods to eat after you’ve just had oral surgery.

Soups and Broths

Soups and broths are both foods that you don’t have to chew, making them ideal for those who have just had oral surgery. Many also contain vitamins, protein, and other things your body needs. They are also a good source of fluid, so you’re less likely to get dehydrated. Just be careful that the soup isn’t too hot. Keep it warm or room temperature, even if that’s not how you normally prefer your soup.

Gelatin and Pudding

Gelatin is a soft, tasty food that won’t cut or otherwise irritate your surgery site. Since there are so many different flavors of gelatin and pudding, you’re sure to find one that you like. The downside is that neither of these foods have much nutritional value to them, so while they’re a great snack, you may want to eat something else for your meal.

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are a good source of protein and are also very soft. If you find eggs by themselves to be a little bland, you can always add shredded cheese to them. Just be sure the cheese is finely shredded, so you don’t have to chew much.

These are just three great foods you can eat after you’ve had oral surgery. There are many other options, including applesauce, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, and mashed avocado. If you have any concerns about what to eat, be sure to ask us before your surgery.