To slow the spread of the current COVID-19 pandemic and stay healthy, it’s essential that we all practice social distancing and limit our trips outside as much as we can. Additionally, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has extended the stay-at-home order that temporarily closes all non-essential businesses. Since this means your dentist is only accepting emergency appointments, what should you do if your dentures are damaged during quarantine? Your Kansas City dentist explains what to do in this situation to keep both you and your smile safe.
What to Do If Your Dentures Are Damaged
The first step whenever your dentures in Kansas City become chipped, cracked, dirty, or uncomfortable is always to call your dentist. Explain to them over the phone what happened and how your dentures are damaged in as much detail as you can. This helps them determine how urgently you need to be seen. If your dentures are severely broken or uncomfortable to wear, they may instruct you to take them out and soak them until you can come in for an emergency appointment.
However, limiting your trips outside and reducing your exposure to other people is one of the best ways to protect yourself from COVID-19, even if you’re simply visiting your dentist. If your dentures are not badly broken, they may deem it safer for you to come in for repairs after the quarantine orders have lifted. In the meantime, your dentist should be able to instruct you on how to apply denture adhesive or dental wax as a temporary solution until your appointment.
What NOT to Do if Your Dentures Are Damaged
Even if the damage is slight, follow these important guidelines:
- Don’t try to fix your dentures yourself or allow someone other than your dentist to do so, since this could easily worsen the damage or break them beyond repair.
- Don’t continue to wear dentures that are broken, have sharp edges, or cause sores on your gums. This could lead to cuts in your mouth or an oral infection.
- Don’t use over-the-counter glues on your dentures, as they may contain chemicals that can cause you serious harm if placed in your mouth.
Thankfully, your dentures should remain intact and comfortable as long as you are careful with them, especially while taking them out and putting them in. If you do find yourself with damaged dentures during quarantine, call your Kansas City emergency dentist right away so they can help you get back to enjoying your healthy and complete smile as soon as possible!
About the Author
Dr. Michael C. Byars has help rebuild countless beautiful and functional smiles in Kansas City, MO and the surrounding communities. With a variety of tooth replacement options like dentures, dental implants, and implant-retained dentures, he is able to help you regain your complete smile and self-confidence. Although they’re built to last, please don’t hesitate to contact him if you have any issues with damaged or uncomfortable dentures. He can be reached via his website or at (816) 781-8222.