When you had teeth, your gums enfolded the teeth and helped protect them against bacteria. Now, your gums have another job that is just as important: supporting your dentures. Your gums weren’t really designed for this work–it was always teeth and bones that were tasked with chewing–but they can do it, ably and comfortably. If you do your part.

Here’s how to make sure your gums are up to the task of supporting your dentures.

Make Sure Your Dentures Fit Right

The most important thing you have to do for your gums is to make sure your dentures fit properly. Poorly fitting dentures will pinch your gums, move about excessively, rock back and forth, and otherwise irritate your gums.

This will lead to pain, swelling, and, eventually, receding gums.

Use Denture Adhesive

Wait, you might be saying, if my dentures fit right, why do I need denture adhesive? In trying to secure your dentures, denture adhesive is a poor substitute for proper fit, but it has another very good function. Denture adhesive can create a seal under your dentures that helps prevent food from getting underneath them.

When food gets under your dentures, it gets pinched up against your gums by the force of chewing, which can be very painful and damaging for your gums.

Eat the Right Foods

Although you’ll probably be able to eat more foods than you think when wearing dentures, there are some foods that can be challenging for denture wearers. In most cases, it’s not that these foods can’t be eaten, it’s that the foods cause problems for your gums. Avoiding some of these more challenging foods can help your gums feel more comfortable.

Clean Dentures and Gums Thoroughly

dreamstime_xs_22756147If you do get some food or other irritants under your dentures, don’t let them sit there, irritating your gums. Clean out your dentures right away.

And no matter what, make sure you clean your dentures right at night. Brush both your dentures and your gums, making sure to completely remove all food and denture adhesive.

It’s also recommended by some that massaging your gums can help them stay healthy and reduce bone resorption, but this isn’t a scientifically verified recommendation.

Take Dentures Out at Night

Your dentures work hard all day. At night they need a chance to rest. Having your dentures out at night also allows saliva to better do its job of removing and neutralizing bacteria on the gums, preventing gum disease.

And taking your dentures out at night reduces your pneumonia risk.

See the Dentist Regularly

And, of course, it’s important to check up on the health of your gums regularly. Your dentist can assess your gums, make sure they’re healthy, and make sure your dentures still fit properly.

You don’t need to see your dentist as often now that you don’t have teeth, but visiting once a year is still recommended.

With these tips, you can ensure your gums stay healthy. And it all starts with comfortable, functional, and attractive dentures. Please contact a local FOY® Dentures dentist today for more information..