If you have dental appliances, then you already know how expensive they are to have manufactured and installed. Knowing how to properly care for and protect them is vital to avoid any additional bills at the prosthodontist's office. To this end, here are some prosthodontist-approved tips for avoiding unnecessary damage or failures of your dental appliances.

Prosthodontic Tip: Create a Dental Health Routine and Stick to It

Since your teeth already have issues with decay, it is very important you create a dental health routine and then stick to it—every single day. At a minimum, your routine should include:

• brushing your teeth at least twice each day
• washing with a water flosser 
• flossing with dental tape

In addition to the above list, you should also try to brush your teeth after each meal and after all sugary snacks. This will help prevent plaque from food from growing on your teeth and dental appliances. If you are not able to brush after eating, then make sure you at least wash out your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. 

Prosthodontic Tip: Protect Your Dental Appliances with a Mouthguard at Night if Recommended

If your prosthodontist or family dentist suggested you wear a custom mouthguard at night to protect your teeth and dental appliances from the added wear from grinding your teeth while you sleep, then you must wear it. The mouthguard will extend the life of your natural teeth, and it will also extend the life of your dental appliances as well. 

Prosthodontic Tip: Avoid Sugary Foods as Much as Possible

One of the most damaging things to your teeth and dental appliances is a diet that is high in foods containing a lot of sugar. While the occasional cookie or slice of birthday cake is reasonable, binging every evening before bed on soda and fun-size candy bars is a sure way to find yourself with more expensive dental problems caused by preventable tooth decay. To protect your teeth, swap out the sweets for other foods that are more healthy for your body, such as fruits and vegetables.

Prosthodontic Tip: Keep a Regular Dental Cleaning and Examination Schedule

It is very important you keep seeing your family dentist at least twice each year for regular cleanings and dental exams. Visiting your dentist regularly allows you to be notified of minor dental issues so you can have them fixed before they turn into very expensive problems that need more custom dental appliances.

For more information, reach out to companies like NOVA PREMIER DENTAL.