For some of us, the holidays are all about family, friends, and festive lights, and for others it’s the scrumptious morsels of delights that make this time of year extra special. We all know that reaching for a piece of cheese and fruit is probably the best way to control our waistline and limit our exposure to sugar-laden snacks, but the reality is that over the holiday moderation often gets thrown out the window, and all manner of tasty treats are consumed. So how do you protect your smile and your denture this December? Here are some tips to keep your denture in good condition over the holidays.

Partial Dentures and Natural Teeth

Not every Calgarian wearing a denture has lost all their natural teeth. There’s a large portion of denture-wearers who wear a modified appliance, otherwise known as a partial denture. Designed to restore a person’s bite and smile by replacing a single or multiple teeth with a removable appliance, a partial denture is often chosen by patients who either don’t want to cut down natural teeth to place a bridge or still want to keep all their options open for implant placement down the road. The advantage of having a partial denture is that it fits and functions well with a person’s natural teeth, but special care and attention has to be kept-up to ensure the health of teeth and the condition of appliance are maintained. Sticky, sugary treats that get stuck between teeth also cling to the clasps of a partial denture. This sticky mess creates the perfect environment for plaque to accumulate which irritates gum tissue and increases the risk of dental decay. Holiday treats that are consumed throughout the day put additional stress on teeth and appliances due to the constant exposure to sugars. Limiting the quantity of sugary treats along with reducing the amount of time exposed to sugars will help keep a denture and teeth healthy. This means rather than spreading out your holiday treats, it’s a good idea to eat them all at once and then rinse the sugar from your mouth with a cup of water.

Poor Fitting Dentures Don’t Do Well With Treats

Whether you’re wearing a partial, full, or implant retained denture, the one type of appliance that doesn’t stand-up well to treats is one that doesn’t fit well. A prosthetic that is loose, too large, cracked, or missing teeth just can’t handle the additional strain nuts, candy canes, dried fruit, and sticky chocolates exert. Biting through certain foods can be challenging even when your denture fits perfectly, but trying to eat nuts with an appliance that only fits on one side or that moves every time you open your mouth is no fun at all. At best, you’ll find it frustrating, and at worse, you’ve got a recipe for breakages and sore spots. If you’ve been meaning to get your denture adjusted, now’s the time to see your denturist to make sure your appliance is ready for the holiday treats and pictures.

Don’t Skip Cleaning Your Denture and Teeth

The late night holiday celebrations and a change to your routine can make you want to skip cleaning your denture and brushing your teeth. Try to keep your cleaning routine going throughout the holidays so that sticky food remnants are removed from your denture and natural teeth are free from decay-forming plaque.

Not sure if there’s time to have a new denture made for the holidays? Talk to your denturist today about having your best smile this December. Phone South Calgary Dentures at (403) 254-5000.

If you have a beautiful smile thanks to a newly made set of dentures, you’re probably not thinking of having to replace them anytime soon. Today’s dentures are custom made from durable materials and designed to hold-up well against the daily demands of chewing, speech, and all oral movements. Will your new denture last forever? Maybe, but there’s also a greater chance of it needing to be replaced at some point due to expected wear and changes to a person’s dental system.  Knowing when it’s time to replace a denture can be established by both obvious factors, such as the condition of the denture and level of comfort, and by more subtle factors that your denturist may diagnose during a routine check-up.

Bone Structure Changes With Time

Looking at photographs that were taken of us twenty years ago frequently highlights the changes a body goes through over time. A noticeable change for many Calgarians is a loss of volume to facial tissues and a reduction of vertical dimension in our smiles. This loss of dimension between the chin and nose can be accentuated in denture wearers. It’s a result of the loss of jaw bone and the accompanying remodelling of jaw joints. When natural teeth are lost due to injury, decay, or periodontal disease, the boney ridge that once supported the roots of teeth starts to recede. This is a normal response to tooth loss but can be sped-up in those who have lost all their teeth. With the loss of bone and volume of gum tissue, a denture can become too big for the mouth; causing discomfort during functional movement and be at risk of falling out of the mouth due to excessive looseness. Replacing a denture where excessive bone loss and remodelling of the jaw joint has occurred not only restores comfort and function but also creates a more youthful appearance.

Even Denture Wearers Grind Their Teeth

Teeth grinding doesn’t just impact individuals with natural teeth; many denture wearers also visibly grind their teeth causing the denture the wear and the acrylic teeth to become shorter and flat. This change in shape can alter the look, fit, and function of a denture overtime. When a denture is made, it takes into consideration a person’s bite and is fabricated to ensure that chewing, biting, and speech are optimized. When teeth in a denture become worn, a person’s bite is altered. This makes it more challenging to chew food and sometimes results in jaw joint discomfort due to the loss of tooth support. In time, the shortening of teeth can result in a denture becoming non-functional, and the need for a new denture becomes essential to restore the ability to chew.

Acrylic Teeth Are at Risk of Staining

If you’re thinking it’s only natural teeth that bear the signs of red wine and coffee consumption you may be surprised to learn that acrylic teeth are also susceptible to picking up pigment stains from various foods. Cleaning a denture daily involves soaking it in a cleanser that has been recommended by your Calgary denturist and brushing it with a denture brush to ensure that food particles and plaque do not buildup. Daily care of a denture will help prevent food stains from becoming permanently ingrained in teeth and will also help prevent unpleasant odors. Natural teeth become yellow and darker as the years roll by, and so too do dentures — often resulting in a new denture being made when an existing denture has deteriorated, and stains and odors can no longer be eliminated.

If your denture has been feeling loose or has dulled over the years, we invite you to chat with the denturists at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic about the benefits of a new custom denture. Call us today!

Even though you no longer have natural teeth, that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on the daily brushing. Your denture does a great job of replacing your smile. It helps you chew food, speak with confidence, and looks good as it supports facial tissue and restores balance to your face. Without your denture, life just wouldn’t be as enjoyable, so taking care of your appliance is essential to ensure it looks, feels, and performs at its best. A denture, along with oral tissues, requires some special TLC to ensure that a your dental health is optimized. Here are some tips to help you keep your appliance in tip-top condition.

Just Like Natural Teeth, Dentures Need Daily Care

The importance of brushing and flossing daily is something every Calgarian has heard about thanks to a vigilant hygienist, decay opposed dentist, or commercials that drum home the benefits of fresh breath and sparkling white teeth. And, even if you don’t have natural teeth, you can’t escape the importance of daily oral care; as even with a denture, you’ll need to brush daily — but you do get to skip the flossing.

Plaque that forms on natural teeth also builds up on dentures. This bacterial film can make dentures prone to odor and irritate oral tissues, like your gums, cheeks, and tongue. Daily brushing of your denture removes plaque and food debris – and helps to keep your denture looking good and smelling fresh. Remember to use a soft brush and gentle cleanser specifically designed for dentures. Abrasive toothpastes and very hard brushes can damage your appliance.

The Safest Place for Your Denture is In Your Mouth

If you’re concerned about the safety of your denture and want to prevent damage and loss, than the best thing to do is keep it in your mouth. Dentures are incredibly strong and resilient for replacing teeth, but they don’t exactly bounce if dropped, and they certainly can’t withstand a pet gnawing on them. The reality is that a denture is designed to be in your mouth, so you should limit the amount of time when it isn’t being worn to just bedtime, and ensure that it’s safely soaking in a pet-proof container or glass.

Along with carefully handling your denture when it’s not in your mouth, be sure not to bite into food that is rock hard. Biting into a bit of bone or other hard material can actually cause damage or even break your denture. Some food should be avoided regardless of whether you have natural teeth or wear a denture. Chewing hard candy, biting into the pit of a peach, mango, or related fruit, and eating certain nuts can all damage both natural teeth and dentures.

Maintaining Regular Exams with Your Denturist

To keep your denture in good condition, we recommend regular checkups with your Calgary denturist. Changes to the mouth are ongoing and adjustments may have to be made to a denture to achieve the best fit and level of comfort. Decreasing levels of jaw bone and reduction of gum tissue can prevent a denture from performing well and put stress on the appliance. Seeing your Calgary denturist regularly not only keeps your mouth healthy; it also prolongs the life of your denture.

Need more tips on caring for your mouth and denture? Follow our upcoming blogs to get the latest tips and information on denture wear. Can’t wait to get an answer to your question? Call our friendly denturists at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today at (403) 254-5000

At South Calgary Dentures, two of our favourite things to do are helping our patients to regain confidence in their smile and eating. We know that many of our patients are looking forward to being able to enjoy their favourite foods again, and we are here to help you do just that. However, getting fitted with dentures today doesn’t mean that you’ll be ready to eat steak by tomorrow. We’re hopeful that this article will give you the information you need to set realistic goals for your journey to eating with confidence once more.

Be Careful with Hot Foods.

We don’t need to tell you how strange a new pair of dentures can feel in your mouth. Whether you’re getting an adjustment or you’re being fitted for your first pair of dentures, your mouth can feel a little strange for a while. Because of the new sensations from the dentures, your brain may be so overwhelmed that it fails to detect how warm food is or even the flavour of foods. This can be both bizarre and frustrating, but it’s very important that you take the time to cut your food into small pieces and let the food sit for a while until it is a more acceptable temperature for your mouth. Just because your brain isn’t noticing the temperature doesn’t mean you can’t burn yourself!

Have Patience.

Fortunately, you’ll find your sensation of temperature and taste returns soon. The body is an amazing system, and people can get used to almost any new sensation, so after a few days, you’ll find your brain begins to ignore your dentures. Eating will feel normal, your sense of taste will return, and you’ll be able to safely detect if a food is too hot once more. That said, we still recommend that you cut your food into small pieces and eat slowly. Making sure to eat with both sides of your mouth at the same time will also help to make the transition easier. You’ll find slowly eating small bites is especially important as you move away from soft food towards your more typical diet. The good news is that, with time, you should be able to eat nearly all your favourite foods again — though you’ll probably still want to cut them up.

Keep Them Clean.

No one wants to find out they have a piece of spinach between their front teeth! Part of eating with confidence is knowing that your dentures are clean. After you’ve finished eating a meal or a snack, make sure you rinse your dentures thoroughly with water. This will remove any food particles and odd flavours. Using a soft toothbrush, gently clean the inside of your mouth as well. Removing food will prevent bacteria growth and help make sure your dentures fit comfortably. Remember to brush your dentures at least once a day.

We know that many of our patients are impatient to get back to their normal life. They want to smile and eat as naturally and confidently as they did in their twenties! We understand this desire, and it is our goal to help each of our patients achieve complete confidence while eating. If you’re tired of hiding your smile and not being able to eat the foods you enjoy, contact our experts at South Calgary Dentures today. We’re here to help.

Today’s customization of dentures has eliminated some of the annoying traits of denture-wear, such as denture movement during speech and chewing. The chance that a denture can move, or perhaps even work its way out of the mouth, during conversation or dining out can cause intense anxiety and lack of confidence in some denture patients. Always being on high alert, trying to anticipate how a denture will perform is both frustrating and tiring. A person might wonder if there’s anything that can be done to improve the stability of a denture.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Dental implants aren’t just being used to improve the aesthetics of a retired hockey player who’s missing his front teeth; they can also be used in denture wear, thanks to their ability to create a strong and durable platform for a denture to attach to. Placed directly into a person’s jaw bone, implants are strategically placed to create anchor points for a denture to clip on to. Because the implants are seated securely in jaw bone they provide a rigid structure, allowing the denture to remain stable during functional movement. Chewing and talking no longer have to be stressful and challenging.

New To Dentures? Consider Implants

If you’ve just lost your natural teeth or are scheduled to have them removed in the near future, you may be a great candidate for implant-supported dentures. The success of implant placement is largely influenced by the health and quantity of jaw bone, as the implant requires a certain depth and thickness of bone for long-term stability. With recent tooth loss there is usually an adequate amount of jaw bone to accommodate implant placement, creating an easier transition to dentures for a new denture wearer. Whether a denture is permanently attached to the implants or with the option of removing, an implant-supported denture is worth considering.

Is An Implant-Supported Denture Right For You?

Even if the Tooth Fairy picked up your natural teeth several moon’s ago and you’ve been wearing a traditional denture for some time, you may still benefit from implant-supported dentures. The first step in establishing suitability is to ensure that there is enough jaw bone present. Jaw bone’s natural response to tooth loss is to recede. It knows a tooth is no longer present and therefore doesn’t have to maintain the same level of bone support. If jaw bone recession is advanced then the viability for implant placement needs to be carefully considered.

To discover more about implant-supported dentures, contact the team at South Calgary Dentures and Implant Clinic today 403.254.5000

You may think that once natural teeth have been removed and your new denture has been fitted that check-up appointments with a denturist are no longer needed. The truth is that even without natural teeth, routine exams are highly recommended to ensure that a person’s oral health and denture remain in excellent condition. Not sure what your denturist focuses on during an exam? Read on to discover how regular check-ups can help protect your investment and keep you smiling.

Oral Cancer Screening

Seeing your denturist regularly provides an opportunity for oral tissues to be checked for signs of oral cancer and other abnormal tissue changes. Denture wearers carry the same risk for developing cancer of the mouth as people who have natural teeth, as oral cancer is often influenced by lifestyle choices such as smoking, other tobacco uses, and high alcohol intake. The lack of natural teeth does not lessen the risk, especially as growths appear on soft tissues such as gums, tongue, and roof of mouth. It is also suggested that denture wearers have a greater need for oral cancer screening due to the appliance covering delicate oral tissue, making it hard for an individual to notice subtle changes.

Checking Your Jaw Joint

A denture that isn’t quite fitting properly can upset the balance between jaw joint and mouth. A denture that’s sitting a little too high or does not fit snugly in the mouth can offset the movement of the jaw, causing the jaw joint to become inflamed and tender and contribute to clicking, popping, and locking of the joint. A denture adjustment might be all that is needed to alleviate TMJ symptoms and other joint concerns, as once the denture’s fit and bite is corrected the jaw joint discomfort is relieved. Jaw pain and unusual joint sounds when chewing, yawning, or speaking shouldn’t be ignored as damage to the joint can occur.

Keeping Your Denturist Aware of Changes to Your Health

Changes to medical health and relating intake of new or different medications can impact the health of the mouth. Some medications cause excessive dry mouth – a condition that can cause gums to become sore and irritated – a situation that is only made worse by wearing a denture. Medical conditions such as diabetes can also hamper the health of the mouth due to an increased incidence of dry mouth, mouth sores, and ulcers that can be quickly aggravated by an ill-fitting denture or by keeping the denture in overnight.

Visiting your denturist on a regular basis ensures that both the condition of your denture and the health of your mouth are kept in the best shape possible.

Is it time you visited a denturist? Contact South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today at 403.254.5000

You may have been told that you need dentures, or are contemplating getting a new appliance made. It’s common to have questions regarding denture wear, especially if you’re new to dentures and aren’t sure how they’ll look, feel, and perform. Calgary denturists are accustomed to being asked questions about dentures and how they impact a person’s oral health. We’ve picked 3 of our most commonly asked questions so that you can learn a little more about dentures and if they are the right choice for you.

Can I Keep My Dentures In 24/7 ?

Denturists understand and respect a patient’s desire to keep their dentures in round-the-clock, as they understand that being seen without teeth can knock a person’s confidence and have them hiding-out from family members. It is highly recommended that you take dentures out at bedtime, so that your gums and jaw bone get a much needed rest from supporting the appliance. Unlike natural teeth that sit in bone and gum tissue, a denture covers tissue, creating a different oral environment that can become unhealthy when gums are not given an opportunity to breathe and bone a chance to rest. Removing a denture at night not only relieves pressure, providing an opportunity for tissue to heal, but it is also the perfect time to soak the appliance and remove unwanted plaque and food buildup. Just like natural teeth, dental plaque forms on a denture, making it susceptible to odours and causing gum irritation. Removing it regularly for it to be cleaned is an essential step in keeping the appliance in good condition and enhancing oral health.

Are All Dentures The Same?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, there are plenty of options designed to meet a patient’s dental health goals. Depending on how many teeth are missing and where gaps are in the mouth, a custom treatment plan is created to ensure a person’s smile and dental health is restored. Whether it’s a partial denture that works alongside natural teeth and can be removed for cleaning or an implant supported denture that provides superior stability, there is a denture solution that best suits an individual’s needs, giving both an aesthetic and functional outcome.

How Do I Get Dentures?

Customized dentures are vital for comfort, aesthetics, and function. Making an appointment with a qualified denturist who works with various types of dentures is the first step to creating a beautiful and healthy smile. Denturists are experienced in recognizing how oral tissues respond when there is a lack of natural teeth, and what modifications have to be made to an appliance to ensure optimal fit and performance. Seeing a Calgary Denturist does not require a referral – just call today to schedule a consultation to discuss what type of denture is right for you.

Have more questions regarding denture wear and appliance maintenance? Contact South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today at 403.254.5000

Notice a whistling sound when you speak? Are you having a hard time pronouncing certain words? A denture that no longer fits optimally can cause a variety of challenges to an individual’s speech caused by denture movement that can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. But why does a denture’s fit affect speech, and what can be done to alleviate issues so that a denture functions well and a person’s confidence and speech are restored?

What Causes Changes To A Denture’s Fit?

As we age, the shape and size of our mouth’s change due to shrinking bone ridges and thickness of gum tissue. These oral changes are a normal and expected response when natural teeth are no longer present. Changes to a person’s mouth happen gradually, but can start to impact the fit of a denture once tissues have experienced mild to moderate remodelling. As bone and gum levels recede, a denture becomes loose and may feel too large for the mouth. A person may start to develop sores due to the appliance rubbing on delicate gum tissue. Unfortunately, the material that a denture is made from doesn’t shrink along with a person’s mouth, so in time there can be a discrepancy in size and fit, resulting in movement and comfort that prevents a person from speaking effectively and confidently.

Can The Fit of A Denture Be Improved?

Regular maintenance of a denture not only ensures that it remains in good condition, but provides an opportunity for a denturist to evaluate the fit and comfort of the appliance. Denturists expect a denture to need adjustments and relines over the life of the appliance, so they encourage patients to book a maintenance appointment to check the health of the denture and oral tissues. After mild oral tissue changes, the fit and performance of a denture can benefit greatly from a reline, which provides shock absorption and a tighter fit. This enables a denture to stay in place during functional movements like eating and speaking. Having a denture that fits securely can quickly improve a person’s speech.

Does A New Denture Sometimes Have To Be Made?

After significant weight loss, illness or injury to the mouth, a new denture may be recommended, as changes to gum and bone prevent an existing denture from fitting correctly. Having a new denture made not only improves a person’s ability to speak clearly, but restores comfort to the mouth as issues such as appliance friction due to movement are resolved.

If you’re struggling to speak with your existing denture, contact the team at South Calgary Denture and Implant Centre today at 403.254.5000

If you’ve been staring in the mirror and don’t like what you see, it may be time to consider the transformative effect a new denture can have on a smile and on a person’s facial aesthetics. The reality of a gummy smile looking cute usually only applies to babies and toddlers, when their chubby cheeks and rosy red gums can pull-off a toothless grin. In adulthood a gummy smile just doesn’t have the same positive impact and can quickly age a person due to changes in facial contours. If teeth loss has you wondering where your youthful appearance went, read-on to discover how a denture can restore a smile and a person’s vitality.

What Is Midface Collapse?

Midface Collapse is a term used to describe changes to a person’s face, resulting in the chin appearing closer to the nose due to a lack of support and lengthening of tissue around the mouth than is present with natural teeth. The loss of natural teeth closes down a person’s vertical dimension – the space between top and bottom jaws – giving a collapsed appearance that can age a person prematurely. The loss of length between upper and lower arches is also due to bone recession, a natural response to tooth loss that happens gradually over time. When the bone recognizes that there are no teeth to support it, it begins to recede, losing dimension both vertically and horizontally. This reduction in jaw bone contributes to changes in facial contours, giving the face a more convex appearance.

Can Dentures Restore Facial Aesthetics?

Even if you don’t have natural teeth, you can still maintain or regain facial esthetics with a denture. The appliance, when made correctly, can restore ideal length between the nose and chin and plump up facial tissues that would normally be supported by natural teeth. The transformation that occurs to a person’s lips, cheeks, profile, and of course smile can be dramatic, creating a more youthful and healthy appearance. And of course, the denture itself adds a huge boost to a person’s beauty by creating a vibrant white smile that incorporates the characteristics of a natural smile by customizing teeth length, shape, and contour.

A denture can also give a boost to a person’s youthfulness by enabling better intake of nutrition with improved chewing capabilities. A lack of teeth greatly impacts a person’s ability to chew food and have a varied diet, reducing their intake of essential nutrients that contribute to health and vitality.

If you’re struggling with facial aesthetics due to a lack of teeth, contact South Calgary Denture and Implant Centre today and discover how quickly they can have you looking and feeling good!

The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us, full of day trips, getaways, BBQs, and family visiting, and hardly a spare minute to think about your dental health. Making it through the summer without any denture problems just takes a little advance planning, as seeing your denturist before you head off into the sunset for a long-planned vacation can ensure that your denture remains healthy all summer long.

Check In With Your Denturist Before Leaving On Vacation

It sounds really simple, but a quick check-up appointment with your denturist before you head out of town is the perfect opportunity to have your denture adjusted and your appliance checked. If you’ve been ignoring a sore spot or feeling that your denture isn’t fitting comfortably, seeing your denturist before your vacation will prevent unwanted pain and discomfort or an emergency visit to a denturist while you’re away.

It Doesn’t Hurt To Pack Your Spare Denture

Just like packing a spare pair of glasses, remembering your spare denture can come in handy – especially if you’re visiting countries where tummy bugs are common. Sudden vomiting can cause a denture to become dislodged from the mouth and end up in a toilet or similar ‘grungy’ receptacle. Fishing it out might not be possible, or tempting, so having a spare denture on hand means you still get to have a great vacation.

Don’t Forget Your Denture Cleaner and Fixative Cream

Feeling confident means your denture is snug and won’t move while you’re enjoying yummy summer treats. Including a fixative cream in your packing is a good idea if your denture is feeling loose and you don’t have time to arrange an appointment with your denturist prior to your vacation. Applying a fixative cream creates suction so that a denture fits tightly in the mouth – and can help prevent sore spots from a loose denture. If your denture is always loose it might be time to talk to your denturist about a soft reline to increase fit and function.

Though you may be on vacation and collapsing into bed each night after some great adventure, try to maintain the daily habit of cleaning your denture so that the appliance remains free from irritating bacteria and food remnants. Continuing to take your denture out at night while away will not only give your gums and jaw bone a chance to breath but also provide the perfect opportunity to clean the appliance.

Planning a big vacation? Need to see a denturist before you leave? Contact South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today 403.254.5000