Social distancing is the most effective way to keep yourself safe from COVID-19. In compliance with the stay at home orders of South Portland, Maine, most dental practices have postponed all appointments except dental emergencies. What should you do if you find yourself stuck in quarantine with a broken denture? Here’s how you can get your denture fixed while staying safe from the pandemic.
Step #1: Call Your Dentist
Whenever your denture becomes damaged, dirty, or uncomfortable, you should call your dentist right away. Typically, they would have you come in for an appointment to figure out the best denture repair or adjustment method. However, this may not be an option during COVID-19.
Nonetheless, you should still call your dentist if your denture is broken in quarantine. Use as much detail as you can when explaining your situation to them over them phone. This will help them assess the seriousness of your circumstances and determine if it qualifies as a dental emergency.
Step #2: Caring for Your Dentures at Home
If your dentist decides that your broken denture needs urgent repairs, they will call you into their highly sanitized office. However, if you are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and your dentures are not severely damaged, your dentist may deem it safer for you to come in after quarantine orders have been lifted. Until you can come in, they will instruct you on how to temporarily fix your denture, which may include:
- Using a denture adhesive to keep them safely in place.
- Applying dental wax or sugarless gum to sharp edges.
- Taking them out, soaking them, and refraining from wearing them.
Step #3: Be Careful Until Your Dental Appointment
Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully. To keep your dentures in good shape until your appointment, remember:
- Do NOT try a store-bought home repair kit unless recommended by your dentist.
- Do NOT use over-the-counter glues on your denture since most contain harmful chemicals.
- Do NOT continue to wear your denture if it is painful or uncomfortable, as this can lead to further damage or oral infections.
Thankfully, as long as you take care of your denture, it should stay comfortable and intact throughout quarantine. However, knowing what to do if it breaks can help you handle the unexpected while staying healthy in the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Practice
At Gannett Drive Dental in South Portland, ME, our talented dental team focuses on providing relaxed, comfortable, and long-lasting dental care. We have always gone above and beyond to put the health and safety of our patients first. In these unusual times, we have established numerous extra infection control protocols to keep our practice as safe and germ-free as possible. If you’re having trouble with your dentures while in quarantine, please reach out to us. To learn more about our Commitment to Safety, feel free to contact us via our website or at (207) 253-5600.