There are also steps that you can take to ensure the longevity of your dentures, such as having them checked regularly to make sure they are still the right fit.  Above all, if you’re experiencing any pain, having any difficulty chewing or if you find yourself suffering from headaches or ear pain, it may be time to see a Dental Prosthetist to check that it’s not your dentures causing the problem!

Our mouths change, as we age. Your gums and bones recede, causing changes to your jaw alignment. These changes then affect the fit – and the effectiveness – of your dentures. Unfortunately, this doesn’t just mean that they may become uncomfortable, it can also affect your health. Side effects can range from something as simple as sore gums, to infections, headaches and oral cancer.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

When cared for properly, you can expect them to last for up 10 years. Our advice is to replace your dentures every 5 to 10 years depending on your individual circumstances. Regular checkups with your prosthetist can ensure that your dentures are not only in tip top condition for as long as possible, but will also allow us to monitor when you may need to replace them.

Signs You May Need New Dentures

• You have started to use an adhesive
• Your dentures are cracked or chipped
• They are discoloured or have an odour that you can’t get rid of through normal cleaning
• You have sore, irritated or softened gums
• You have developed a lisp or have difficulty in pronouncing certain words
• Difficulty chewing some foods (e.g. steak)
• Persistent indigestion
• Facial/appearance changes (e.g. thinning lips or your mouth is sagging, lack of facial support)
• Your dentures move or fall out when you speak or laugh
• Unexplained headaches, ear or neck pain
• Bone loss (the ridges of your gums)

How Often Should I Get My Dentures Checked?

We recommend having a check-up at least once a year to ensure not only that your dentures are fitting correctly, but also so we can screen for any other risks. No matter how meticulously you care for them, they still need to be regularly, professionally checked, cleaned and possibly relined, rebased or even remade due to normal wear & tear. Properly fitting dentures won’t just feel better, they’ll look better and so will you! So if you’re due for a check-up, why not contact us today and let us help you create your best smile.

All Denture Services Denture Clinic have over 25 Years  experience providing quality, affordable denture services to patients Brisbane wide.  Our dentures are locally made using  state of the art equipment and the highest quality materials. Call us today and we can explain what your options are, and work with you to find a solution that meets your needs, and  your budget.

Enquire about our special rates for Pensioners

Call us today for a Free Consultation
Phone: (07) 3274 3936

For more information read on; Dentures – What to Consider

The post When Do I Need New Dentures? appeared first on All Denture Services.

How to Clean Your Dentures During the Day

When you are wearing your dentures throughout the day you are likely going to be using your dentures to eat. Like natural teeth it is important to maintain a regular cleaning schedule after meals to ensure that any built up foodstuffs are removed from your dentures.  However, the use of regular toothpastes and stiff bristled brushes is strongly advised against. After a meal, it is recommended to remove the dentures and run them under cool water to remove any pieces of food that have built up. Further to this you should brush your dentures with a specialised denture cleaning paste, using a soft bristled brush. Once you have brushed your dentures, run them under cool water again to remove any paste residue. As a handy tip some patients like to place a face washer or hand towel in the sink to reduce the chance of denture breakage, should you drop them.

How to Clean Your Dentures at Night

The other important time to ensure you are cleaning your dentures properly is while your sleep.  Night time is a great time to clean dentures and is one of the easiest cleaning tasks to do. Assuming you have brushed your dentures after your most recent meal, you can prepare your dentures for a night time clean. Generally, dentures are added to water, with an added denture cleaning solution. This solution does two very important things – firstly it cleans your dentures to remove any plaque and/or bacteria that may have built up. Secondly, it ensures your dentures do not dry out. It is vitally important not to leave your dentures outside of your mouth or submersed in a water solution as dentures can dry out, and as a result become damaged. It is important to ensure you never put your dentures in boiling water – this can warp the dentures structure and cause them to be permanently damaged.

Consistency is the Key

As you can see above, the answer to how to clean dentures really is not so much a matter of how, rather how often – regularly. Denture cleaning isn’t and shouldn’t be a complex task, rather it is important to focus on a regular schedule of cleaning to maintain your dentures.

Professional Denture Cleaning

All Denture Services Denture Clinic Brisbane recommend regular professional cleaning for a more thorough clean. A professional clean & polish will remove stains and tartar build up giving your dentures a new appearance.  We also offer advice to our patients on the best way to clean their dentures, such as the best denture night time cleaning solution and appropriate denture paste. We can also help repair your dentures if they have become uncomfortable due to poor maintenance.

Our primary goal is your satisfaction. We will restore the self confidence that comes with a beautiful smile.

Enquire about our special rates for Pensioners

Call us today for a Free Consultation

Phone: (07) 3274 3936

The post How to Clean Your Dentures appeared first on All Denture Services.

 All Denture Services Denture Clinic Brisbane offer  an obligation free consultation with our Dental Prosthetist. This gives us the opportunity to talk to you about your individual requirements,  the cost of your new dentures,  as well as the process of preparing and fitting your dentures for you.

Don’t be tempted  to look for the cheapest price. As with most things, cheap  dentures are exactly that – low quality materials and workmanship –  and you’ll usually find you get what you pay for!  So you could end up paying much more than you anticipated if your cheap dentures don’t work for you.

How Much do Dentures Cost?

When calculating the cost of your new dentures, the following factors will be taken into account

The post How Much Do Dentures Cost? appeared first on All Denture Services.

What to consider before using Denture Adhesive

Pros of Denture Adhesives

Providing Confidence
Using denture adhesives (otherwise known as denture glue or denture cream) makes some people feel more secure when wearing their dentures.  This is often most likely when a person is originally fitted with new dentures.

Over time, once the wearer becomes more confident wearing his/her dentures they may then choose to no longer use denture adhesives.  In this instance denture adhesives provide a good solution for those concerned that their dentures may fall out or slip as it provides a feeling of comfort and security.

Special Conditions
Some people suffer from a dry mouth or other conditions that affect the strength of the adherence of their dentures.  In these cases the use of some form of denture paste, cream or denture power is a good solution to the problem.

Special Circumstances
Denture glue is also beneficial for those who require extra security of dental stability due to the special activities that they may do which require additional demand on the face muscles.  An example of this would be musicians or public speakers.

Ease of Use
Applying denture cream or paste is a simple and easy process and takes but a few minutes.

Cons of Denture Adhesives

Inappropriate Use

Some people may use denture adhesives simply because their dentures do not fit well.  This is not a good use of the product.  In this instance the wearer really needs to have their dentures adjusted to ensure a proper fit.

Denture paste or glue should not be used to compensate for a badly fitting denture nor should it be used as a substitute to going to your denture clinic for a regular check-up.

If you find that there has been a change in the comfort or fit of your dentures, we suggest you set up an appointment to see your dental prosthetist as you may need to have your denture rebased or relined.

Allergies
For some people denture adhesives are not an option as they are allergic to one or more of the ingredients that form denture glue.

High Standard of Oral Hygiene Required
If you use any form of denture adhesive (denture paste of denture cream) you must maintain a high level of oral hygiene – if this is not possible, then denture adhesive should not be used.

Sudden Need for Dental Adhesive
Some people who have never used denture adhesives find that they now have a need for them.  This is most likely due to shrinkage of gum tissues and/or the loss of bone that happens as we age.

For these reasons the dentures no longer fit correctly and wearers resort to using denture glue to obtain a better fit.  However this is not a good long-term option and an appointment should be made to have the dentures adjusted or a new set of dentures made.

Damage
When denture cream is misused such as described above it can result in damage to the soft tissues of the mouth and gum and can also cause inflammation.  Even worse with prolonged use to stabilise a badly fitting denture, you can actually cause an acceleration of bone loss.

Health Risk?
There is an unresolved debate as to whether or not denture adhesives are bad for you. Some Denture Clinics swear by the safety of using denture adhesives, while others claim that they are bad for your health. Do your research, talk to your dental prothesist for advice so you can make an informed decision as to whether dental adhesives are a suitable option for you.

All Denture Services
If you have any concerns or would like appropriate advice on the use of denture adhesives, call our  Denture Clinic and we can discuss what the best options maybe for you.

Call us Today for a Free Consultation (07) 3274 3936

All Denture Services Brisbane Denture Clinic promise to restore your beautiful, healthy smile.

The post Is Denture Adhesive Necessary? appeared first on All Denture Services.

Cracked Dentures

Cracked dentures generally occur when small cracks occur in the acrylic of the dentures. This can be as small as a chip or minor crack, to cracking in half. This usually occurs if you have dropped or knocked your dentures. Generally this is not a big issue though as you can repair cracked dentures. It is highly advisable not to try repair yourself, especially with some ‘home remedies’ that can be found on the internet. The use of acrylic binders and other materials may damage the dentures further and are generally not effective.

Broken Dentures

Broken dentures, such as a loose tooth, are usually more structural in damage and may require a little more work, but rest assured they still can be fixed. Much like cracks in your dentures, we do not recommend you try to fix your dentures yourself. We have seen (to our horror) many people suggest using superglue to reattach a loose tooth. Please do not use superglue to repair broken dentures. Superglue is not designed for the rigors of denture adhesion, required to hold a tooth in place. Furthermore, superglue may be toxic and may cause you harm.

Denture Care

While accidents are common, regular maintenance of your Dentures is also important to ensure your dentures are resilient to the everyday wear and tear they will experience. For example, regular cleaning of your dentures will ensure that food, bacteria and plaque build up is reduced and prolongs the beneficial life of your dentures. Importantly, when it comes to cleaning there are a number of things to consider, which will help prolong the life of your dentures and reduce the chance of cracked dentures occurring. Firstly, do not use a toothbrush or toothpaste to clean the dentures – these will scratch your dentures and cause structural damage over the long term. Importantly you should avoid using boiling water on your dentures as well – boiling or extremely hot water can warp your dentures and cause structural damage. You should also ensure your dentures do not dry out, if you are not wearing them. Due to the materials used in dentures, you need to ensure you store your dentures in water, whilst not in use.

Broken Denture Repairs

Should you have an accident and crack or break your dentures don’t continue wearing them as this may irritate your gums or further damage your dentures. Don’t be tempted  to fix them yourself as  this too may actually end up causing more damage.  Home remedies and superglue are not only ineffective, they are hazardous to your health.  

If you have broken your dentures, and need to wear them at short notice, i.e. you have a wedding or a graduation to attend, you should consider an emergency denture repair service, rather than attempt to use superglue or any other ‘home remedy’ on the internet.

We understand the importance of having a bright smile for these important occasion and as such offer an emergency denture repair service. Repairs can be professionally completed in as little as an hour.

Ask us about our Pensioner Discounts

Call us Today for a Free Consultation (07) 3274 3936

The post Cracked or Broken Denture Repairs appeared first on All Denture Services.

Eating with Dentures – What to Do and Foods to Avoid

There are some foods you should avoid eating with dentures. These are generally foods that require a lot of pulling or chewing. Some of these culprits include;

• Sticky lollies, such as toffees.
• Raw fruits and vegetables such as Apples and Carrots
• Peanut Butter

These foods will either dislodge or stick to your dentures, causing discomfort and displacing your dentures.

There are other foods that you should consider as well, such as bread with small seeds, such as poppy seeds or sesame seeds – these can get caught in your dentures and cause some discomfort. There are products available that promote the ability to seal your dentures, so that seeds are not an issue – these products may be fine for you, so it’s a matter of slowly trying to introduce new foods and seeing what does and doesn’t work for you.

We can’t talk about eating with dentures and not bring up a traditional favourite – steak. Steak can be ok, if it is cut into smaller pieces first and you chew on both sides of your mouth at once, to ensure your dentures remain in place.

Reintroducing Foods into your Diet

When you first get dentures you will need to learn how to eat with dentures. This is a natural step in getting dentures and you should slowly take your time to find out which foods work for you. There are some foods that should be avoided (as discussed above) but generally people can return to their usual diet with few concessions.

When you first get your dentures you should start simple with soups, smoothies and purees. These foods are simple and will allow you to easily get nutrients, without struggling to chew with your dentures. You can then slowly reintroduce your usual foods, starting with either soft vegetables or cooked – think zucchini, steamed vegetables etc. For protein fish is a great option, but try to avoid fish with bones for the time being, until you get comfortable with your dentures. If you want to broaden your protein options, you can consider chicken, remember to cut this into pieces. You can also try foods such as mince as well.

A Few Pointers on Eating with Dentures

Your diet shouldn’t suffer as a result of having dentures, but there are a few things to consider to make the job easier;

• Chew on both sides of your mouth to keep pressure even.
• Don’t try to bite chunks out of foods like apples or steaks – this puts a lot of pressure on your front teeth.
• Drinks like coffee won’t stain your dentures (any more than your natural teeth) but caffeine can cause dehydration which may make saliva production more difficult. This can make eating somewhat harder.

If you have dentures or you are thinking of getting dentures it is important to consider the ramifications of dentures on your diet. Generally speaking you shouldn’t have to many issues, if you follow common sense rules.

If you have any questions or require advice call our Denture Clinic today on (07) 32743936

For more Denture Care advice refer to our article Denture Care – Do’s and Dont’s

The post Eating with Dentures appeared first on All Denture Services.

 This is somewhat misleading – not because one term refers to a number or row of teeth- rather either term could be used to refer to either number of teeth – singular or plural. As a case in point you certainly can have partial dentures fitted for a single missing tooth – you can also have a whole row of teeth replaced, which would also be called dentures.

So if false teeth and dentures are the same – where did the different terms come from? While we do not know definitively we do have a few ideas.

Difference between False Teeth and Dentures – Origins

The term false teeth (or fake teeth as some people refer to them) is possibly derived from historical origins – where different types of materials were used to replace lost teeth. Hundreds of years ago, false teeth were produced using a variety of materials. Some of the most common included animal teeth, ivory, human teeth and porcelain. Understandably, most of these materials were not as effective as the materials we use today. Ivory, in particular, had a short life before it would discolour and give off a terrible smell. Human teeth were an obvious choice, however the method of obtaining them were less than ideal (usually from someone who was deceased).

Interestingly, there have been rumours that George Washington had false teeth made from wood – this is a rather exaggerated tale that expands on the fact he had dentures that held teeth made from hippopotamus, ivory and metal.

How are Dentures Made?

We use a combination of acrylic resins, porcelain and plastics to produce a mould that fits comfortably and provides realistic looking teeth. In order to ensure dentures look less like false teeth and more like real teeth, a prosthetist is usually assigned to the patient and will produce a custom design that incorporates the shape of the patient’s mouth and jaw.

The portion of the dentures that holds the teeth is called a denture base – this is the part that is in direct contact with your gums. The second major component are the teeth themselves. This is also where some confusion has occurred when people ask about the difference between false teeth and dentures. Sometimes people refer to the base as the ‘denture’ and the artificial teeth as ‘false teeth’. However, generally speaking, false teeth and dentures refer to the whole construct – not individual components.

Taking Care of Your Dentures

Irrespective of whether you choose to refer to your dentures as false teeth or dentures, it is still important to realise that they need to be maintained and looked after just as well, if not better, than natural teeth. There is a misconception that false teeth, being made from synthetic materials, do not need to be cleaned or taken care of as well as naturally occurring teeth. While these materials are designed to be hardy and wear-resistant, they do require maintenance to ensure longevity. This also applies to the overall hygiene of your mouth as well. Because the denture base will be in contact with the jaw, it must be maintained to ensure health issues do not arise with the jaw itself.

As professional Prosthetists we generally refer to false teeth as dentures, as this is the definition that we are accustomed to – either way, the difference between false teeth and dentures is little more than terminology.

If you would like further advice about your new denture options in Brisbane please contact us. It’s our job to put a lovely big smile on your face.

Enquire about our special rates for Pensioners

Call us today for a Free Consultation
Phone: (07) 3274 3936

The post The Difference Between False Teeth and Dentures appeared first on All Denture Services.

Proper denture care is necessary to ensure longevity and usefulness of your dentures. While professionally designed and constructed dentures are quite robust and can stand up to the rigours of daily use, regular denture care plays an important role.

While Wearing Your Dentures

When wearing dentures there are a couple of things to consider, such as  your choice of food.

Most foods are alright to eat with your dentures in, however your dentures are not fixed. As a result it is important that you cut foods into smaller, manageable pieces.

For example, you may now need to cut meat into smaller pieces or cut a whole apple into slices. Generally, if you apply common sense to your food choices, you will prevent much avoidable damage.

Unfortunately, this does mean you probably won’t be enjoying any more Jawbreaker lollies!

Denture Care Throughout the Day

Regular cleaning of your dentures throughout the day is key to longevity.

Much like your regular teeth, regular cleaning of your dentures will ensure plaque and bacteria do not build up. As soon as practical, try to remove your dentures and clean them after meals.

When you clean your dentures, use a specialised denture paste and denture brush. Avoid using regular toothpaste and toothbrushes if possible. Regular toothpaste can include abrasives that will damage your dentures, while regular toothbrushes are too harsh for the materials used in your dentures and may result in scratching.

Denture Care at Night

An important part of your denture care program occurs while you’re sleeping.

Don’t wear your dentures while you sleep, instead, place them into a glass of water with a specialised denture cleaning solution. When you wake up, before using your dentures, you should rinse the denture solution off. Make sure you wash them thoroughly, to avoid getting the solution in your mouth.

If your dentures contain metal components, these can be damaged by the wrong denture solution. If you need advice on which solution to use, your dental prosthetist can offer advice.

Most importantly, you should never put your dentures in boiling water. Boiling water will cause them to warp, and no longer fit snuggly in your mouth.

Ongoing Denture Care

Make sure you schedule a regular appointment with your dental prosthetist.

At a minimum, it is recommended that you see them at least once a year. During the visit, your dental technician will examine your dentures for any minor damage. Any cracks or defects can be identified and, hopefully, fixed.

They will also be able to discuss or identify any issues you may be having. This could include rubbing of your gums or uncomfortable fitting dentures.

Remember, maintaining good oral health in your mouth is just as important as regular denture care.

Denture Care Do’s and Don’ts

Denture care is relatively straightforward if you remember two key things –

1. regular, daily care is the key to a proper maintenance schedule and
2. denture specific products should always be used, under the recommendation of your denture professional. This means avoid boiling or hot water for soaking your dentures, use specialised cleaners, and avoid products such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and bleach when cleaning. If you are unsure ask your dental professional.

To ensure your dentures are properly maintained you may want to have them professionally cleaned. One of our technicians can clean, hand scale and polish your dentures for you to ensure they are always at their best.

Call us Today for a Free Consultation (07) 3274 3936

The post Denture Care – Do’s and Dont’s appeared first on All Denture Services.