No two denturists are the same. If you have been wearing dentures for a while, you know that no two sets of dentures are the same. Finding a quality, experienced denturist can seriously impact the comfort of your dentures. You do not have to deal with loose plates, gums that are rubbed raw, distorted speech, and the inability to eat your favorite foods. If you have any of these problems, there are a few things that you can try before replacing your dentures. Use what I have learned over my 15 years of wearing dentures to find a perfect fit and optimum comfort in your dentures.
finding comfort when wearing dentures
How A Fluid Restrictive Diet Can Affect Your Mouth
Priscilla Hansen
If you have congestive heart failure or other medical condition that causes your body to retain fluid, your physician may have recommended that you follow a fluid restrictive diet. When your body does not excrete excess fluid, it can raise your risk for heart attack, stroke, blood vessel problems, and edema.
Symptoms of excessive fluid retention include swelling of the face, abdomen, and extremities, and in some cases, fatigue, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems, and dizziness. While a fluid restrictive diet can help manage your medical condition, it can have negative effects on your teeth and gums. Here are some things you may notice about your teeth and gums while you are on a fluid restrictive diet.
Bleeding And Inflamed Gums
If your physician has recommended that you restrict your daily fluid intake, be sure to tell your dentist so that he or she can frequently monitor your oral health status. When you follow a fluid restrictive diet, you may be unable to drink the amount of water that you are accustomed to.
This can lead to oral dryness, and in some cases, dehydration. When your mouth gets too dry, infection-causing bacteria can accumulate, raising your risk for gum disease and other infections. If your dentist determines that your gums are swollen and bleeding as a result of oral dryness, he or she may prescribe a special mouthwash to help restore moisture and to help repair your gum tissue.
Enamel Erosion
Another possible oral consequence of following a fluid restrictive diet is enamel erosion. When your mouth is too dry because you are limited to the amount of water can drink in any one day, the effects of acidic foods on your tooth enamel may be enhanced.
When you frequently eat foods such as oranges or grapefruit, or drink large amounts of coffee, tea, or fruit juice, the acidity that is left on your teeth can wear away your tooth enamel over time. When you drink enough water to wash away the excess acid from from your teeth, however, acid erosion is less likely to occur.
If you are on a fluid restrictive diet, take sips of water, and swish it around your mouth and then spit it out. This way, you won't go over your allotted amount of fluid for the day, and you will be reducing your risk for dental erosion caused by acidic foods and drinks.
If your physician recommended that you follow a fluid restrictive diet, see a dentist, like those at Sun Dental, on a regular basis. He or she will monitor the condition of your teeth and gums so that at the first sign of trouble, they will be able to implement an effective treatment plan to slow further progression.
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