Monthly Archives: June 2016

Learning New Tricks: Denture Care | Boca Raton Dentist

Dentures, Oral Hygiene, Preventative Dentistry, , ,


A woman is brushing her teeth with an electric toothbrush.You never thought it could happen, but your dentist tells you that you need dentures/partial dentures. And you had a basic idea of daily oral care, but dentures can’t possibly be the same as normal teeth, right? So does this mean you will need to retrain yourself a new dental care routine in order to look after them? Not quite, but you will definitely have a thing or two to remember. Here are just a few handy tips to keep in mind as you are going forward.

While dentures are designed to withstand quite a bit, just because they aren’t your originals, it doesn’t mean they don’t need a little upkeep. In fact, consider them exactly like your real teeth when you are looking after them and your mouth. Dental implants are generally meant to last at least 5-7 years, but they are still breakable, so handle them with care. Make sure you are over a soft space when removing or cleaning them, in case you accidentally drop them.

You aren’t going to get rid of your toothbrush, but you can absolutely get rid of your toothpaste. In fact, toothpaste is generally too abrasive for dentures and could scratch them, making you more prone to other things that could develop. So, go ahead and toss out your toothpaste! All you need now is a soft bristled toothbrush to remove and food particles and plaque from your dentures and mouth. They have specific soft-bristled brushes for your day-to-day denture care. In between meals, just give your mouth a quick rinse.

When it is time to give your dentures a good cleaning, simply use some hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid. The ingredients in the soaps are extremely gentle on your delicate teeth and will avoid scratches or the accidental breakage of any metal or plastic pieces that are necessary to remain in your mouth securely. You are also going to be prone to gum diseases, just like you would your original teeth, so make sure you run a toothbrush over the inside of your mouth to clean brush away any bacteria that can cause issues later down the road. There are ultrasonic devices on the market that you can use to give your dentures a good soak, but it is for more of a deep cleaning and should never replace your daily brushings. It’s more like a cool bathtub for your dentures with its sound wave motion. The key is to keep your dentures moist when they are out of your mouth so they don’t warp out of shape, but make sure you avoid using hot water. Ask your dental professional for the proper soaking solution for your specific set of dentures.

If you feel that you need dentures or would like more information on denture maintenance, contact Dr. Clive Rosenbusch, DDS at 561-394-7888 to schedule a consultation today or visit www.cliverosenbuschdds.com for additional information regarding laser gum therapy.

Dr. Clive Rosenbusch proudly serves Boca Raton, Del Ray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Boynton, Ft. Lauderdale and all surrounding areas.

What is a Snore Guard?

Snoring,


A woman laying in bed under the covers.A snore guard is an anti-snoring device that’s fitted inside the mouth to help prevent snoring. This device does so by holding the lower jaws forward, allowing for better airflow and preventing obstruction. While a snore guard shares its concepts with other anti-snoring devices, what makes it unique is that it requires professional fitting. This means that you can only get a snore guard from a dentist, of which will take care of taking the specific specifications of your mouth and creating this anti-snoring device.

How Does It Work?

As explained earlier, this oral device helps promote better airflow in the throat by preventing the jaw and tongue from falling back and collapsing. This is referred to as mandibular repositioning and has been proven to be an effective means of eliminating obstruction from the airways and in many cases, stopping snoring.

A snore guard, though, is custom-fitted to make sure that it fits over the top teeth properly, all the while keeping the lower jaw forward comfortably.

Benefits

 

  • The one-piece design keeps this device simple and easy to use. No need to put together multiple pieces, nor worry about wires and elastic bands.  
  • The device utilizes a patented airflow technology that not only prevents snoring while you sleep, but also allows you to breathe comfortably.
  • The device has been around for many decades and has been used by dental professionals all over the world.

 

Disadvantages

  • Despite the slight differences in the design of a snore guard to make it more effective, the device still suffers from some of the disadvantages of wearing other anti-snoring mouthpieces. This includes discomfort such as facial pain, teeth and gum soreness, as well as jaw pain during the adjustment period, which can last for a few days or a few weeks.
  • Obtaining a snore guard isn’t easy as it is only available via prescription. There are other alternatives that, although may not be as effective, use a similar technique and are available over-the-counter.
  • Aside from requiring a prescription, the only way to get a snore guard is to get it from the dentist. This means that on top of the product’s price, you have to pay for the dentist’s professional fee. This can make snore guards much more expensive compared to other oral devices.

Are Snore Guards Really Effective?

That depends. If you’re snoring because your jaws fall back when you’re asleep, devices utilizing the mandibular position technique such as a snore guard, can definitely help you. However, if your snoring for any other reason, you may want to look for other treatments.

Then again, snore guards and any other type of mouth guard can only help you so much. It still would be better for you to have yourself checked by a sleep specialist to find out the main cause for your sleep apnea.

By getting yourself checked by a board-certified sleep specialist, your condition can be properly assessed and the proper treatment can then be prescribed to you. Whether that comes in the form of a snore guard or any other form of treatment ultimately depends on your health care provider.