A cavity, a bacterial disease, a fall, a shock… so many factors that can lead to the loss of a tooth. To avoid developing joint or even muscle pain, it is necessary to have a dental prosthesis fitted.
Bridges, crowns, dentures… Each year, 11.4 million dental prostheses are installed in the mouths of the French (Source: National Confederation of Dental Unions (CNSD), May 2011). Whether you have a fixed prosthesis (which can no longer be removed) or a removable model (which is removed overnight), it is a whole ritual of cleaning and maintenance that must then be adopted!
As the name suggests, fixed prostheses are welded to the jaw: when all goes well, their lifespan is ten years on average. If they replace only a few teeth (one or more), we say that they are partial: this is the case of the crown or the bridge. Conversely, total fixed prostheses are used to replace all the teeth: this is the case with traditional dentures.
Since they cannot be removed, fixed dentures are cared for in the same way as the rest of the dentition. We repeat the basic advice for impeccable oral hygiene: it is important to brush your teeth vertically (at least) twice a day, to change your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months, to use dental floss (or an interdental brush) and to get descaled regularly.
Removable dentures require a little more specific maintenance. First of all, it’s out of the question to sleep with your prosthesis when you can remove it. “It is not advisable to wear it for more than 24 hours in a row,” explains Dr Guillaume Gros, dentist in Tours (37). Indeed, it is important to let the gum breathe, so that it does not become deformed. »You don’t want to remove your prosthesis overnight? In this case, remove it for at least 6 hours a day.
Ideally, you should clean your prosthesis after each meal. We remove it, and we rub it with a very soft toothbrush (not to damage the resin) and a small head (to reach both false teeth and small metal hooks). Before putting it back on, we also wash our mouth and teeth to remove food residues.
At the end of the day, the prosthesis should be placed in an antiseptic “cleansing bath” for at least 15 minutes. Certain brands thus offer effervescent tablets which dissolve in a glass of water, disinfect the prosthesis… and eliminate any bad odors.
Have you run out of tablets? Then opt for a 100% natural antiseptic solution: soak your prosthesis in the juice of two lemons for at least 10 hours (it must be completely immersed). In the morning, remember to rinse it well for impeccable hygiene!
“A dental prosthesis is never smooth, even if it is ceramic or metal,” says Dr Guillaume Gros. Therefore, tartar can develop there. “
Indeed, our teeth and gums are permanently covered with a thin solid film of salivary origin: tartar. Very quickly, it is invaded by bacteria, resulting from food residues. If it is not treated in time, tartar can be the cause of severe bacterial diseases: these attack the remaining teeth or the gum tissue.
“In the case of removable dental equipment, if cleaning is not done effectively, bacteria can also proliferate between the prosthesis and the gum,” adds Dr. Guillaume Gros. This can cause severe inflammation and even periodontal disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. “
The tobacco. Notice to smokers: cigarettes and dental prostheses do not mix! In fact, in addition to causing yellowing of the resin (same effect on ceramic), nicotine tends to weaken dental material.
Hypochlorite. This chemical (often called ClO- or NaClO on labels) is used to purify water and is part of some antiseptics. However, it can cause corrosion of the metal frame and discoloration of the prosthesis.
The open air. No question of leaving your prosthesis on the nightstand! Prolonged exposure to the open air can indeed cause drying of materials and deformation of dental material. As a result, when you remove your prosthesis, you keep it in a glass of water.
Hot water. Always clean your prosthesis in cold water! Too hot, the water can indeed cause the resin to expand: the prosthesis is then deformed and no longer fits properly.
