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What do I do if I break my denture?

What do I do if I break my denture?

Many patients ask, “What do I do if I break my denture?” Because dentures are delicate and can easily be damaged. Unlike natural teeth, they are not as strong as they are made from metal or acrylic. When these materials are kept in the mouth for a long period of time, they will eventually start to degrade and weaken. Aside from that, dentures also suffer from daily wear and tear from talking, chewing and cleaning and handling.  A combination of these things can cause damage to your dentures.

Chipped dentures can occur for multiple reasons from eating hard foods or daily handling that leads to accidental drops. When an accidentally  happens, there are things you should do to make sure your dentures get repaired as soon as possible.

A chipped or broken tooth on your denture is a serious matter and requires prompt repair. When teeth on the denture break, it can have an impact on the denture wearer’s ability to chew and speak. The bite will become compromised and may cause discomfort. When repairing chipped or broken denture teeth, denture wearers should not try to repair them on their own. Superglue may be your first thought for a solution, but you will be doing yourself a great disservice if you go this route.

The first thing you should do after breaking or cracking a tooth or denture includes the following:

Denture care tips

Because dentures deteriorate over time, it’s important to take proper care of it to ensure your denture lasts. There are many ways to maintain your dentures and one way to make sure that they are kept clean on a regular basis so make sure you rinse them and brush them properly using a soft toothbrush or one that is especially designed for that purpose for dentures.

You may want to use regular toothpaste for this process, but it’s recommended that you use denture cleaner. These denture cleansers or pastes are created differently from toothpastes, and are not harsh on the materials the denture is made from. Do not use mild detergent or hand soap, which may be too strong or abrasive.

When to visit the dentist for broken dentures

Dentures are delicate items that can easily chip or crack when dropped or mishandled. When handling them, do so over a basin full of water. That way if it drops, the water softens the impact and prevents breaking from happen. When you are not using it, be sure to store it in a tight container away from children and pets.

Even when you exercise proper denture care, accidents may still happen. A quick DIY (do it yourself) repair may seem like a great option, you may be voiding any warranty you may have on your denture; and putting a chemical compound in your mouth that is unwise. If the damage is an emergency contact your dentist right away.

Your denture is an investment in your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Always handle your denture with extra care to extend the life of your denture. Now that you know what do when you break a denture and need an dentist, contact Haight Family Dentistry or a dental office near you for the first available appointment.