If you’re one of the millions of Canadians who have some type of dentures, whether they are full or partial, it can certainly be easy to assume that proper oral care is no longer necessary. After all, if you have full dentures it means you don’t have any of your original teeth. As a result, why would you even care about your oral health?
In reality, taking care of your mouth is still vitally important. Gum disease continues to be a very serious issue for people of all ages, regardless of whether they have all of their original teeth, have some implants, bridges, or have full dentures. Recent medical research as indicated that certain bacteria has the potential to enter the bloodstream through sore gums and open wounds in the mouth and can reach the heart, potentially leading to heart disease.
When you have dentures, you are advised to remove your dentures at night and soak them so they can be properly cleaned. You are probably also told how important it is to continue brushing your gums every night. This helps to stimulate blood flow through the gums, helping them remain as healthy and vital as possible. It also helps to remove some of the bacteria that can be harmful to your health.
For any elderly individual or other adult who has dentures, whether they are full dentures or partial dentures, if they notice issues with their gums, such as their gums becoming inflamed or red, open sores, or anything else, they should make an appointment with their dentist immediately. Any gum disease can lead to some serious oral and overall health issues. The sooner they are addressed, the sooner the problems can be corrected.