Advice on Cleaning Dentures

When dentures are well-cared for, they’re comfortable, good-looking, and usable substitutes for natural teeth. But when they aren’t they smell bad and pose a health risk to the patient. As general dentists who frequently work with patients to restore their bite function, we at All Coast Dental are especially concerned with the longevity of our patients’ dentures, so we wanted to take some time to address their proper maintenance.

To clean a denture it’s not enough to brush the parts that resemble teeth; you have to clean the whole thing. It’s also not a good idea to use normal toothpaste, since dentures are much softer than enamel, and will be scratched by fluoride particles instead of reinforced. You’ll need to scrub the entire denture with a specialty toothpaste, and you may want to use separate brushes for your denture and the rest of your oral hygiene. (People with dentures are advised to brush their gums before putting their dentures in, and everybody is advised to brush or scrape their tongue.) People with implant-supported dentures also need to brush around their abutments, and to remove the denture to clean its underside every day.

Dentures should be kept in liquid when they’re not in use. The American Dental Association approves several cleaning solutions that can be used at least once a week, although soap is often sufficient for an overnight soak. But it is very important that a denture not be placed in boiling water or otherwise subjected to extreme heat (such as being left out in the sun). Patients will naturally need their denture refitted and relined from time to time, but they should not attempt to modify it themselves.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dentures

All Coast Dental located in Pacific, CA, takes pride in helping patients achieve their best, confidence-boosting smile. For patients with missing teeth, we offer both full and partial dentures. Dentures are designed to replace missing teeth as well as the surrounding tissues. They are custom made, removable, and significantly improve the function and appearance of your smile. You can even eat and sleep with them! Your trusted Pacific dentist will ensure that your new dentures fit your mouth properly and comfortably.

 

Full dentures are either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been completely removed from the gum tissue and the healing process has had a chance to begin. After that time, this type of full denture is placed in the mouth for eight to twelve weeks. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. This is a great alternative to conventional dentures because the wearer doesn’t have to go without teeth during the healing process. Partial dentures are also removable and are used when one or more teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. This type of denture requires crowns on the teeth on either side of the space to attach artificial teeth and a cemented-in bridge. Partial dentures fill in the open spaces so that the remaining teeth cannot shift, and they appear more natural-looking than full dentures.

 

Other benefits of full and partial dentures include:

 

- Facial muscle support

- Allows patients to eat food they couldn’t eat without teeth

- Improves the ability to chew, eat, and speak

- Improves appearance and smile

- Improves self-esteem and confidence

 

Do you think you could benefit from dentures? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. All Coast Dental is located at 2180 Garnet Ave., Suite 1-K, in Pacific, CA 92109. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit allcoastdental.net or call 858-270-4904.

 

Denture Stomatitis

When people get dentures, they instantly experience a massive boost in their dental function, comfort, and self-confidence. But they will also have to make some adjustments to their oral hygiene in order to keep their new oral appliances in good working condition. We’ve assisted a lot of people with prosthetic teeth at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, and to further our patients’ oral hygiene aims, we wanted to discuss denture stomatitis.

Yeast infections, known as stomatitis, are caused by species of fungus called Candida. Although they are normally present in the mouth, saliva contains enzymes that breaks them down and keep their population under control. When a person is suffering from dry mouth, yeast may develop into large enough colonies to cause red sores, which often may be found on the roofs of the mouths of people who wear dentures. It seems that the soft plastic of the denture covering the upper palate prevents saliva from reaching that area. Yeast infections may also develop on the undersides of dentures, where they rest on the gums.

For most people, yeast infections can be avoided by brushing the mouth and the denture twice a day. We recommend brushing the gums before inserting the denture in order to increase their bloodflow. Using a separate toothbrush for the denture ensures it won’t be scratched by fluoridated toothpaste, which is more appropriate for natural teeth. Stomatitis often isn’t painful at first, so patients will have to regularly examine themselves for it.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Immediate Dentures

For people who have lost their teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, dentures can restore their smile and help them with everyday tasks such as eating and speaking. There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Our doctors at All Coast Dental will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on how many teeth are going to be replaced.

If a patient is faced with the loss of single or multiple teeth and will be replacing those teeth with removable or partial dentures, immediate placement may be an option. An immediate denture is a complete denture or partial denture inserted on the same day, immediately following the removal of natural teeth. As the healing process continues, the gums which support the denture will shrink. Changes can continue for several months. During this time, it is important to follow up with one of our doctors for adjustments. Not everyone is a candidate for an immediate denture.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dentures or restorative dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Vertical Dimension Loss

The doctors of All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach are experienced providers of dentures to patients who need a second chance at oral health. Regardless of whether they need a full set of dentures or just partials, one of the most important aspects of fabricating dentures is to account for vertical dimension loss. Also known as bite collapse, this consequence of tooth loss and bone degradation affects the function, comfort, and aesthetics of the jaw bone.

Tooth enamel can be worn away, and when the back teeth are missing, the front teeth may be pushed out to an angle as they are subjected to chewing forces they cannot withstand. In either case, the bite will be shortened. This will make the face appear more wrinkled and cause the mouth look disproportionately small. It also frequently causes pain in the jaw, head, neck, and shoulders.

Temporary dentures are often a part of the treatment process. Besides providing the patient with the ability to chew while their mouths heal from extractions, they also give us with a chance to ensure that prosthetic teeth are sized correctly. Properly fitted dentures can restore the shape of the patients’ face in addition to providing a dazzling smile.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

How to Care for Dentures

As part of commitment to our senior patients at All Coast Dental, we want to ensure that they understand how to care for their dentures. Getting full or partial dentures will require a major change in a patient’s oral hygiene routine, but it’s nothing to be afraid of.

Regardless of whether or not dentures are supported by implants, they should be removed on a nightly basis. If the dentures aren’t supported by a bar, this will give the gums a chance to rest, but even if they are, the gums and tongue still need to be brushed (don’t forget to get in between abutments). Doing this before putting the dentures back in each morning will increase blood flow, preventing numbness.

Dentures must always be kept moist. They may be left to soak in cleaning solution or clean water, but never water that is hot enough to warp them. Like the natural parts of a patient’s mouth, dentures should only be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush; however, dentures also require specially-designated toothpaste. This is because they lack the natural protective film on teeth which protects them from gritty minerals. The entire denture needs to be brushed, not just the false teeth.

Damage to dentures should only be repaired by a professional. It is expected that they will have to be refitted from time to time, so it is important for denture patients to maintain their relationship with their dentists.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit AllCoastDental.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

The Benefits of Dentures

If you have missing teeth, our doctors at All Coast Dental have a variety of treatment options to replace them to help you improve your appearance and smile. One of these options is dentures. Dentures are custom-made replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back in your mouth. While they may take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as natural teeth, they are a non-invasive form of treatment that provides great benefits.

Today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever. There are two main types: full and partial. With full dentures, a flesh-colored acrylic base fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the roof of your mouth, while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue. A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Partial dentures are a removable alternative to dental bridges. After you schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, they will determine which type is best for you.

If you think you may benefit from dentures, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904. 

Why is it Important to Replace Missing Teeth?

When a tooth is lost or is extracted, it may seem okay to leave the space open if it is not bothering you, but it is actually very important to fill that space quickly. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, we offer several options for tooth replacement and we want our patients to know why it is important to replace a missing tooth sooner rather than later.

When a tooth is lost, the bone in the jaw begins to deteriorate. As we get older, the deterioration speeds up. Bone loss can hinder the success of replacement in the future. When a single tooth is lost, the other teeth will shift towards that open space. This creates differences in your bite. This can also introduce gaps between teeth which can become hard-to-reach areas that collect bacteria. Gums can also become irritated if the matching tooth on the opposite set of teeth clacks up against it instead of the tooth that used to be there.

If multiple teeth are missing, the jaw can actually change shape as it deteriorates which will change facial structure. When most or all teeth are missing, facial muscles can begin to sag which makes a person appear older than they are.

At All Coast Dental, we have several options for tooth replacement including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. To schedule an appointment at our Pacific Beach, CA office, call us at (858) 270-4904 or visit our website, www.allcoastdental.net.