Removable partial dentures can be a great help to people who have lost some of their natural teeth. Some partial dentures are attached to the adjoining teeth by metal clasps. Others are fitted into adjoining teeth with precision attachments. Your dentist will help you select the type that is best for you. If you have a removable partial denture, or are about to get one, you’ve taken a necessary and important step toward maintaining your oral health. Here’s why: Wearing a partial denture can help your remaining teeth stay in position. When there are spaces between natural teeth, the teeth may drift or tip, placing unnatural stress on the tissues of the mouth. Teeth that are tipped or out of position are often hard to clean and are therefore at greater risk of tooth decay and periodontal diseases, which can cause additional tooth loss.

Chewing is easier and more comfortable if missing teeth are replaced. If teeth are missing, you may chew food on only one side of your mouth, placing too much stress on that side. This can eventually lead to further problems with the gums and other tissues of the mouth.

Wearing a partial denture can also benefit your speech and appearance. You need your teeth to make many sounds properly. They also help maintain the natural shape of your face by supporting your lips and cheeks.

Your partial denture may feel bulky at first, because your mouth must become adjusted to the presence of a foreign object. After the tissues adapt, the sensation of bulkiness should disappear.

When you first get your denture, practice inserting and removing it. Follow the instructions your dentist has given you. Remember that the denture was designed to fit into your mouth easily. Never force it into position by biting down on it, which may bend or break the clasps.

Your dentist may initially ask you to wear your partial denture all the time. This may be temporarily uncomfortable, but it is the quickest way to identify those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture pushes too much, that spot will become sore. Your dentist will then adjust the denture to fit more comfortably.

Be cautious when eating. Be careful to chew on both sides of your mouth to help maintain the balance of the denture. While you are getting used to the denture, eat small pieces of food and chew slowly. Avoid sticky, hard or coarse foods until chewing is comfortable. You may find that many types of chewing gum and some kinds of food stick to your denture.

It may be difficult for you to pronounce certain sounds when you first start wearing a removable partial denture. This is because your mouth, especially your tongue, is not yet accustomed to the appliance. Sometimes speaking causes the muscles of the tongue, cheeks and lips to move the denture. With practice, however, you will soon learn how to keep it in place while using these muscles to speak. Your speech will probably improve daily, and you can help speed the process by reading aloud.

Be careful when handling your partial denture. Most damage to dentures occurs when they are out of the mouth. When cleaning or inserting your denture, hold it securely over a towel or a basin half-filled with water. This will protect it in case you drop it.

For a healthy mouth and fresh breath, you must remove plaque and food deposits from your denture daily. This also helps keep the denture from becoming permanently stained.

Before cleaning your denture, take it out of your mouth and rinse it well to remove any loose food particles. Next, apply your favorite denture cleaner to a moistened brush and clean all surfaces of the denture. Brush thoroughly but carefully. Scrubbing too hard can damage the plastic parts of the denture or bend its metal clasps.

Ask your dentist what products to use when cleaning your denture. Many special denture - cleaning agents are available. Some people prefer to use hand soap, a mild dishwashing liquid or baking soda. Household cleaners and some toothpastes are too abrasive and could damage your denture, so they should not be used.

It is best to use a brush designed for denture cleaning. These brushes clean effectively because their bristles are arranged so that they conform closely to the shape of the denture. An alternative is a regular soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushes with stiff bristles can damage the denture material.

When you take your partial denture out at night, place it in a container of cleaning solution or water-ask your dentist which to use. Do not place appliances with metal parts in a denture-cleaning solution for longer than the instructions recommend-the metal may tarnish. Never put your partial denture in hot water because it might warp. Finally, always keep your partial denture out of reach of children and pets.

Wearing a partial denture today does not mean that you must wear full dentures in the future. If you take special care of your remaining teeth, you may avoid further tooth loss. By brushing and flossing your natural teeth thoroughly every day, you can remove plaque, the major cause of dental disease. It is specially important to clean the areas of your teeth that are under the clasps of your partial denture. These areas can trap plaque, and so are at greater risk of dental disease. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you the most effective ways to brush and floss your teeth.

Your partial denture was made to fit precisely, but your mouth is constantly changing. In time, your gums and the bone supporting your partial denture may shrink, causing it to become loose or rock. If your appliance becomes loose, see your dentist as soon as possible. Only your dentist can determine how your mouth has changed and what should be done to refit your partial dentures.

Wearing ill-fitting dentures can irritate the gums, tongue and cheeks, and cause your gum ridges to shrink, perhaps so much that it will be almost impossible to fit you with normal dentures. Constant irritation can also lead to open sores and serious infections.

If your partial denture breaks, cracks or chips, or if a denture tooth becomes loose, contact your dentist immediately. Do not try to mend it yourself. Using a do-it-yourself repair kit can damage the denture and may make it impossible to repair. Over-the-counter glues often contain chemicals that can damage the plastic denture material and harm oral tissues. Also, it is almost impossible for someone without the proper training to align the broken parts of a denture correctly. However, your dentist can usually repair a broken denture, often on the same day.

It is especially important to see your dentist if your partial denture breaks while you are eating. This sometimes indicates that there has been a change in the fit of the dentures because the underlying tissue has changed. When your dentist repairs your denture, he or she will also examine your mouth and check whether your partial denture needs adjustment.

Even if your partial denture is undamaged and feels comfortable, you should see your dentist at least once a year to protect your oral health. During these visits, you will receive a complete oral examination. Your dentist will check for signs of oral cancer and examine your gum ridges, tongue and the joints of your jaw. If you suffer from dry mouth, technically xerostomia, artificial saliva may be prescribed. Your dentist will also look for signs of general diseases, including diabetes, that can show up in the mouth. When necessary, your natural teeth will be cleaned and your partial denture will be refitted.

Most people can wear a removable partial denture successfully-it just takes a bit of time to become adjusted. And with a little effort spent on regular oral hygiene, all remaining natural teeth can last a lifetime.