Tips for Caring for Your Dentures

Many dental patients wear dentures as a convenient and comfortable tooth loss solution. To ensure your dentures remain comfortable and clean for years to come, it’s imperative to exercise proper oral care. Use these denture care techniques to protect your dentures and preserve your oral health.

Practice Regular Dental Hygiene

The health of your dentures and gums depends on regular dental hygiene. Just like natural teeth, dentures require cleaning multiple times throughout the day. Remember to brush your dentures carefully. Damaging the plastic parts of your dentures can result in costly repairs. Before putting your dentures in your mouth after cleaning them, brush and rinse your natural teeth and gums. Regular dental hygiene will help ensure good oral health and keep your dentures looking great.

Soak Your Dentures Overnight

Never sleep with your dentures in your mouth, as this could allow lingering bacteria to infect your gums. Purchase a denture cleaning solution and soak your dentures in a mixture of the cleaning solution and cool water. A thorough oral solution should cleanse your dentures throughout the night so they look clean and feel refreshed in the morning.

Schedule Regular Dental Appointments

Attend regularly scheduled dental appointments to ensure your dentures are being worn properly. Poorly-fitting dentures can cause sores and gum sensitivity. Alert your dentist of any discomfort or pain resulting from wearing your dentures. Be sure to schedule appointments with your dentist for professional cleanings and oral examinations. Even if you wear full upper and lower dentures your gums should be examined at least once per year for signs of infection or oral cancer. Your dentist will also assist you with any oral hygiene questions and tips regarding the care of your dentures.

If you need a new pair of dentures, schedule an appointment Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. today. Our experienced, gentle dentist specializing in cosmetic dentistry services, such as teeth whitening, as well as dental reconstruction through dental implants and dentures. Check us out online or call (800) 223-0801 today to learn more about our 5 Towns location.

Understanding the Importance of Regularly Visiting the Dentist

Regular visits to your family dentist aren't just something to mark on your calendar twice a year—they’re an important part of your oral health care routine. Here’s why regular dental visits are so important:

Regular Professional Cleanings

Getting a professional cleaning at your dentist’s office is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing and flossing regularly remove most of the plaque buildup from your teeth, but some parts of your teeth can be hard to reach—and sometimes your regular brushing habits just aren’t enough.

Over time, plaque deposits on your teeth harden into tartar, which cannot be removed at home. Tartar can lead to gum inflammation and disease as well as dental caries, or cavities. Your family dentist has specialized tools designed to remove tartar, so regular visits will ensure that your teeth remain clean—and healthy.

Regular Dental Exams

At most every visit, your dentist will perform a thorough checkup and inspection of your teeth, mouth, and jaws. He will look for signs of tooth decay, either visible on the surface of your teeth or via x-rays of your teeth and jaw. He will also look for signs of gum disease and perform an oral cancer screening.

All of these services are designed to keep your teeth, mouth, and body healthy. A small problem is much easier to deal with than a large one, so it’s important to visit your dentist for screenings and checkups regularly to avoid letting any condition go untreated for too long. This can result in the need for aggressive dental treatment or, in some cases, permanent damage.

Maintain great oral health with regular visits to your family dentist at Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry services for you and your family in our comfortable, state-of-the-art dental office. Check us out online or call (800) 223-0801 today to learn more about our 5 Towns location.

Why You Should Floss Daily

Although flossing is an integral part of any dental hygiene routine, many individuals forgo this step. Unfortunately, simply brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash will not remove all the harmful bacteria and plaque buildup that flossing can.

Appropriate flossing techniques are necessary to remove all plaque and food debris from between the teeth. Wrapping the floss around your fingers, slipping a clean section between two teeth, and wiggling the floss gently back and forth are the ideal motions. Be sure to floss all teeth, reaching below the gum line, and don’t forget to floss the back of each molar. For a guide to flossing, watch this helpful video.

For more tips on proper dental hygiene, contact Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. Our team of dentists and dental hygienists can answer any questions you may have. Call us today at (800)223-0801 or visit our website for more information.

To Get in Touch with Your Dental Health, Click Through These Resources

Do you want to know more about how you can work with your dentist to achieve a bright, healthy smile? The dental professionals at with Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S are committed to providing the best in personalized care. If you are in the market for a new family dentist, considering cosmetic services, or need advanced dental treatment, schedule an appointment by calling us today at (800) 223-0801. The resources below also offer great tips for maintaining your dental health:

·         MouthHealthy.org, the American Dental Association’s new website for consumers, offers detailed information about the most common symptoms of dental problems.

·         To learn more about how to prevent gum disease, visit the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website for an overview of the condition.

·         For additional information about the connections between osteoporosis and oral health, visit this page from the NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.

·         Check out this page from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry to find out more about teeth whitening and the causes of tooth discoloration.

·         Would you like to learn more about Zoom! Whitening? If so, visit this page on the manufacturer’s website.

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene As You Age

Although maintaining good dental health is important no matter what your age, adults over 60 should focus on their oral hygiene even more. Certain medications and health concerns can cause dental problems, so it is important that you floss and brush twice a day and visit your dentist for regular checkups. Watch this short video for more information about maintaining good dental health as you age.

To schedule a routine dental checkup with Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S., call our helpful staff at (800)223-0801. We also offer cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry procedures at our office in Cedarhurst.