Denture Care: Effects of Sugar On Dentures

We all know that sugar is not good for our teeth. In fact, tooth decay which leads to tooth loss can be because of too much sugar, which results in the need for dentures. But false teeth are made from materials that are not like our natural teeth. Therefore, you may think that sugar won’t damage them and that denture care is not that important.

However, denture wearers must beware when it comes to satisfying that sweet tooth. In this article, we will look closer at what sugar can do to dentures, the other concerns to watch for, and how to care for your dentures.

How Sugar Damages Teeth

Bacteria inside the mouth feed on the sugar from foods and drinks that we consume. The bacteria is harmful because it creates acids that eat away at natural teeth. When tooth enamel is lost, cavities and other damage to the layers of the teeth result in issues such as sensitivity to heat or cold and associated dental pain.

Tooth decay leads to gum disease if left unchecked. By regularly brushing and flossing your teeth between meals and scheduling regular dental appointments, you can keep your oral health in good condition.

The same bacteria that damage natural teeth can cause damage to dentures as well. The main concern about eating sugar with dentures is that the bacteria produced in the mouth may damage the oral cavity, so denture wearers have to take precautions when eating foods or drinking beverages that contain sugar.

Denture Care With Sweets

Here are a few tips to assist denture wearers who wish to indulge in something sweet now and again:

• Do Not Eat Hard Or Sticky Candy: Hard candies break up into small chunks that can work their way between the denture and gums resulting in irritation and pain. Sticky candy requires biting down which could cause a denture plate to come loose.
• Add More Fruit & Veges To Your Diet: The natural sugars found in fruit and vegetables are not only easier to consume but will provide your body with essential minerals and vitamins. Plus, your sweet tooth craving will be satisfied.
• Cleaning False Teeth Removes Bacteria: The best way to protect your false teeth and the rest of your mouth from potential damage caused by the bacteria produced when sugar is consumed is to clean your dentures regularly. The best way to clean dentures takes only a few steps which are outlined below:
  • After Each Meal, Rinse Dentures: Following a meal, remove your dentures and place them under running water. This will help to remove loose food particles that have been caught between false teeth or attached to the plate. Be sure to place a towel on the sink and have water in the sink to prevent damage should you drop your dentures.
  • Clean Your Mouth As Well: While your dentures are out of your mouth, use a soft toothbrush on the remaining natural teeth and also clean your tongue, roof of your mouth, and cheeks. Also, use this time to remove any excess denture adhesive that may still be clinging to your gums.
  • Brush Your Dentures Daily: Before bedtime each night, carefully remove your false teeth. Soak them in water then use a soft toothbrush and a denture cleaning solution and gently brush the dentures removing any food particles. Do not use the denture cleaning solution in your mouth.
  • Soak Dentures Every Night: After brushing dentures, soak them in a mild denture cleaning solution overnight. As dentures need to stay moist to prevent cracking, warping, and breakage, an overnight soak is the best way to keep them in top condition.
  • Rinse Before Wearing Each Morning: Before you put your false teeth back in your mouth at the beginning of the day, be sure to rinse them thoroughly. This is to remove the denture cleaning solution from the evening before and make your dentures clean and fresh.

Conclusion

Sweets are not good for our teeth. This we have learned from the days in grade school when we were taught how to brush our teeth and the importance of good oral hygiene. However, sweets are often hard to resist and too much of them can cause us to develop gum disease. For denture wearers, sugar can also indirectly damage more than teeth.

The oral cavity can suffer from the bacteria our mouths produce to eat sugars. Plus, some of the foods that contain sugar can damage our dentures just by how we eat them.

Although the best solution is to avoid sweets altogether, that is not practical for everyone. Denture care is important, so if you wear dentures and have a sweet tooth, be sure to properly clean your dentures and mouth after eating a lot of sweets to prevent damage.