The dentist Antonio Longo, a member of the clinical innovation and quality care team at Sanitas Dental, has reiterated the importance of cleaning the removable dental prosthesis every day to prevent the accumulation of plaque, food residues, and microorganisms that increase the risk of mucosal inflammation, abrasions, or infections such as oral candidiasis.
Longo has explained that the modification of certain habits during the summer directly affects oral health. Eating outside the home, traveling, high temperatures, and a less rigorous hygiene routine can promote the accumulation of food residues and bacterial plaque. This is compounded by dry mouth, which can cause irritations, halitosis, discomfort when chewing, or gingival inflammation.
For this reason, he has outlined a series of recommendations aimed at those who use these prostheses, starting with a proper cleaning of them. The prosthesis should be removed and brushed every day with a specific or soft-bristled toothbrush, always following the dentist's instructions. Additionally, it is advisable to clean gums, tongue, and palate to reduce residues and microorganisms present in the oral cavity.
When prescribed, the prosthesis should be removed for sleeping to allow the mucosa to rest and, as directed by the professional, be kept in water or a specific solution, avoiding hot water, as it could deform it.
Regarding dry mouth, Longo has emphasized the need to maintain good hydration, as drinking water regularly helps alleviate this dryness and improves tolerance to the prosthesis. In older adults, it is advisable to anticipate the feeling of thirst, as it may be diminished.
DO NOT ADJUST THE PROSTHESIS AT HOME
The specialist has insisted on periodically checking the fit of the prosthesis, as over time gums and bone change, so that a denture that previously fit correctly may begin to shift, cause sores, or generate pain when chewing. If these discomforts arise, he has stressed that the denture should not be filed, bent, or manipulated at home, nor should adhesives be used continuously to compensate for a poor fit without a professional assessment.
In this line, he has recalled that if there are sores, bleeding, bad smell, pain when chewing, whitish areas in the mucosa, or a prosthesis that moves more than usual, it is necessary to go for a dental check-up. He has warned that postponing the consultation due to being on a trip can cause small injuries to last for days and hinder both feeding and hydration.
"In older people, a well-fitting denture not only improves chewing, it also helps maintain autonomy, security when speaking, and relationships with others. Therefore, any change in the mouth should be assessed before it limits feeding or daily life. A dental check-up before or after vacations, whether in person or via video consultation, can help detect emerging problems and avoid complications," Longo has concluded.