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Shane Chilcott DENTAL PROSTHETIST (Advanced Dental Technician)

46-48 DESAILY ST. SALE 3850 Telephone: (03) 5143 2545 Facsimile: (03) 5143 0066 Email: slchilcott@netspace.net.au For appointments or more info.

CARE OF YOUR PARTIAL DENTURES         These notes are for your guidance and to help you obtain comfort and efficiency from your new dentures. Artificial teeth are only substitutes and can never be as efficient as natural teeth. You have spent considerable time and money having these new dentures made. Like all new appliances, it will take some time for you to become used to them. The amount of time will depend on your bodies' adaptability to change for some people it may be a couple of days for others it may be a couple of weeks. You must look after your dentures carefully in order to have good service. Here are some suggestions that may help:          Insertion and Removal .          I will show you how to place and remove your dentures. Be sure that you can do this before you leave the clinic. NEVER USE FORCE          2. Function .         Even if you have worn dentures before, your new dentures may feel strange at first. This is because your mouth takes some time to adapt to the new dentures. When eating start with soft foods eg: (Pasta, fish, casseroles, stews and/or soft vegetables.) Do not expect to be able to eat steak or peanuts on your first night. Take in small amounts and chew slowly. Bite the food at the corners of the mouth, not at the front. If possible, chew on both sides at the same time. This is not as easy as it sounds. Your speech will also sound different, but it will return to normal as you become more used to the feel of your new dentures.          3. Overnight Care.         Dentures should be removed before going to bed, as this gives the mouth a chance to rest. This will also prevent you from unconsciously grinding your teeth at night. Clean your dentures thoroughly and place them in a container of water overnight. Ask me for information and advice on cleaning agents.          4. Your Oral Hygiene.         Your new dentures replace the teeth that you have lost. To maintain a healthy condition, IT IS NECESSARY that you take great care with the cleaning of your mouth, so that there will be a minimum of further loss of teeth or damage to the mouth. I can show you how to use a toothbrush and dental floss correctly, so that you can effectively remove food particles and plaque from your denture and your natural teeth after each meal.          Maintenance.         Clean your dentures after each meal in order to keep them free from food particles and plaque. Brush both the inside and outside surfaces of the dentures with a good quality denture toothbrush (they are available here) do not waste money on expensive toothpastes the cheapest one available will do just as well as the more expensive brands. If you normally wear spectacles be sure to wear them while cleaning your dentures and that you have good light available. Place some water or a damp cloth in the basin during cleaning, to prevent damage if you drop your dentures while cleaning. DO NOT use hot water, kitchen detergents, abrasives or laundry bleaches. If you break your denture stop wearing it and telephone for an appointment to have it repaired Do not glue the parts together, as the use of an unsuitable glue will ruin the denture. Then it will be impossible for me to repair it correctly and cheaply. If tartar build up becomes noticeable, try soaking your dentures in a mixture of white vinegar (1 part) and water (3 parts). This generally will help to remove the tartar. If this is not successful then ring and make an appointment to have your denture recleaned professionally.          6. Pain.         Soreness may develop under your new denture(s). In this case ring, for an appointment to have the denture(s). adjusted- If the pain becomes severe and you are not able to come and see me leave the denture(s) out. However, it is necessary that you wear your denture(s). if you can for a few hours before your dental appointment as this will help me to locate the problem area and also freshen it up in your mind as to where and what the problem is. DO NOT ADJUST YOUR DENTURES YOURSELF          7. Other common complaints.         The two most common complaints with new dentures are firstly, that the denture contacts the opposing teeth before the remainder of the teeth contact. This is very easy and simple to rectify. Secondly, if the denture is on the bottom jaw it may. move when you speak or eat. Again it is usually easy to rectify if you are able to identify which part moves first. I CAN NOT EMPHASISE ENOUGH THAT IF YOUR DENTURES HURT YOU, PLEASE COME BACK AND SEE ME, AS IT IS POINTLESS TO PERSEVERE WITH THE DENTURES IF THEY ARE HURTING YOU.

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