Everyone deserves to own a smile they feel comfortable flashing and dentures give you a finish to be proud of. Better yet, they look like natural teeth and provide you with a confidence boost. But, everything new becomes old eventually. Dentures don’t last forever; they generally last between five and seven years. In the meantime, you need to take good care of them to ensure they don’t discolour.
Do All Dentures Discolour?
When brand new, your dentures are bright and white. Unfortunately, they don’t hold onto that vibrant newness. Dentures are much like natural teeth; they both stain and discolour. The first sign of potential discolouration is a dulled appearance. Once your dentures look dull, they can start to develop stains and discolouration. This is why your dental health is important to stay on top of, whether you have natural teeth or dentures.
Food & Drinks That Cause Denture Discolouration
Dentures are acrylic, and acrylic stains easily. Naturally, food and drinks cause discolouration as time passes because they do the same to natural teeth. However, particular items increase the risk of staining and discolouration.
One of the biggest offenders of denture discolouration (and natural teeth) is coffee. The best way to offset this is to rinse and gargle with water after you enjoy a cup. Red wine is another cause of discolouration. In addition to rinsing after you drink a glass, you can also sip water often to fight the wine’s staining effects. White wine can also be a problem for denture discolouration. Any acidic beverage can soften enamel which makes your dentures at risk of staining from other drinks and food, such as black tea and soft drinks.
Acidic foods, such as pasta sauce, are also a denture danger. Not only does the acidity break down the enamel, but pasta also tends to stick to teeth which increases the risk of discolouration. You can lessen its effects by eating your vegetables (spinach, carrots, celery, broccoli, etc.) first to give your teeth a protective layer against staining. Curry is another guilty party, but you can minimise the danger by bulking up your dish with fresh vegetables to counteract the effects of turmeric.
Fruit is also a danger, sadly. While it’s good for your overall health, some fruits with heavy pigmentation can discolour your teeth. Blueberries and blackberries are two of the biggest offenders. Drink a glass of water after to neutralise the effects, or enjoy a glass of milk if it’s particularly acidic, like many citrus fruits.
Finally, tobacco use is a major cause of discolouration and staining. When you smoke, it coats your dentures in nicotine, tar, and chemicals creating a yellowish tint, just as it does to natural teeth.
Can You Whiten Dentures?
Dentures should be relined at least every two years, but as often as annually for some. In the meantime, a denture technician or dental hygienist can whiten dentures and remove stains. Many of the home whitening kits available can damage dentures, so they’re not safe for use. Additionally, whitening toothpaste is ineffective on dentures.
It doesn’t take long for a professional denture cleaning, and you should have them professionally cleaned at least twice a year. However, you should speak to your denture technician about how often they advise denture cleaning. Some people need more frequent cleanings while others require fewer.
When To See Your Dentist
If you’re unhappy with the colour of your dentures, you should make an appointment with your dentist. If you’re interested in dental veneers, crowns, or dentures and you need a Camden dentist, then contact Aesthetic Denture Clinic to discuss your options and get a quote for the cost of dental implants. We offer a variety of Afterpay dental options and emergency dentist treatments.
