Here are some of the most common misconceptions about having dentures. 

They Make You Look Older
After the original teeth are removed, there will eventually be a loss of jawbone which can cause some sagging in the lower half of your face making you look older. But dentures don’t have to make you look older. In fact, they can turn back the clock. By giving better support to your facial structures, dentures can reduce or eliminate common signs of aging.

However, it is important to make sure your dentures fit properly! Which is our specialty. If your dentures do not fit properly, need an adjustment, or possibly a replacement, it could eventually contribute to jawbone loss causing your lower face to sag. That’s why at Berlanga Dentures we keep our procedures reasonable so you can afford to keep your dentures looking and feeling the way they should.

My Dentures Could Fall Out?
Falling out is one of the most common tales told about dentures. It makes for a good story: someone is talking, laughing, or coughing, and out come the dentures.

While this may have been true of your grandfather’s dentures, that is not the case today. By working with your denturist for regular check-ups, relines for a more accurate fit, using proper adhesives, and maintaining your dentures properly, your dentures should stay right where they belong. Or, for maximum security, you may want to consider implant dentures that won’t come out at all.

You Can’t Eat Most Foods
No one wants to think they will be stuck eating soft foods after getting dentures. The truth is, if your dentures fit properly and you follow your denturist’s advice on how to clean and maintain your dentures, you can feel confident eating a normal diet. However, if you feel maintaining your dentures daily might be difficult, you might want to consider implant dentures.

Your Nutrition Suffers
Malnutrition is a real concern among seniors who have lost their teeth, but it doesn’t have to be! If your dentures fit properly, you can enjoy a full range of foods to maintain proper nutrition.

They’re Uncomfortable
People talk about wanting to take their dentures out when they get home the way they would take off their work boots or tie, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Dentures can be so comfortable that people want to have them in. They may even be tempted to keep their dentures in at night. It’s all about proper fit, which is why having a denturist from start to finish when considering dentures is so important. We work with you and your surgeon to make sure your new dentures are everything you need them to be.

Everyone Can Tell You Have Them
This is something many people believe about dentures — once you have them, everyone will know that they’re there. You’ll make sucking sounds, have a denture smell, and your dentures will slip and click when you talk. This may have been true in the past, but today dentures can be made so realistic in appearance that when they fit properly no one will even know you have them. Proper fit and proper cleaning will eliminate other possible signs of dentures.

If you are considering dentures, schedule a consultation with one of our denturists today. We will go over all your options with you, and help you find the solution that’s best for You.

My dentures don’t fit the same anymore!

If your dentures no longer fit as well as they once did, you may need to have a procedure done to refit the base of the denture, called a “reline.” This procedure will enable your dentures to have a tighter, better fit.
If you're a denture wearer, and your dentures have begun to fit less comfortably than in the past, you may want to consider having them relined. Denture relining is a simple and affordable procedure that reshapes the underside of a denture to make it more comfortable as it rests against the tissue in your mouth.

Denture relining is an effective method to tighten the fit of the denture. If you're experiencing any discomfort with your dentures, ask us about a possible reline. We’re here for you! We can assist with your denture reline regardless of whether you purchased them through us.

Call today to schedule a free consultation.

If you’ve noticed your dentures have changed or are not fitting as well, there could be several reasons why. Many things can contribute to a change in how your dentures fit, such as weight loss, weight gain, an illness, a new medication, or a significant change in your daily habits or diet.
 
If you’ve had your dentures for more than five years, it’s possible you need new dentures. Your gums and the bone underneath can change shape throughout your life, as a result, dentures that were made to fit your mouth several years ago may no longer fit comfortably.
 
Frequently we see folks try to compensate for this by using more denture adhesive, not wearing their dentures at all, or they try to fix them by buying temporary liners or "fix" them by other methods. None of these things are a good idea. (See our blog on why “what to do if your dentures break.”)
 
If you think your dentures no longer feel right, if they are moving in your mouth or even falling out, we recommend you contact us right away and come in for an evaluation. In most cases we may be able to reline your existing dentures for a better fit, or if that is not an option, recommend new dentures. Read more about relining here.
 
If you currently wear dentures, you know that they don't really replace your missing teeth.  If you have had your denture for five or more years, they most likely need a reline.  When you have your natural teeth a bone in your jaw helps hold and support those teeth, and that same bone is used by your denture for support and suction.  If your natural teeth have been removed, your body realizes that the bone is no longer necessary, and over time it will begin to recede.  Over the years, as that bone is lost, the support for your denture diminishes. This means your denture has less and less support and no longer fits the way it did when new. 
 
One option is to put something back into the bone.  For this we recommend a dental implant which will preserve your natural bone, so you don’t lose that support.  It will also keep your face looking more youthful.  The implant can also be used to support your denture, keeping it stable and stopping the movement and floating that can occur after several years of wearing regular dentures. Dental implants can be a great option for many patients. To learn more we recommend visiting a recent blog post by the Puyallup Oral Surgery Center.
 
Here at Berlanga Dentures we can help provide all the options for you, and help you determine what’s best for your situation and budget.
 
We can also assist even if you didn’t get your dentures from us originally.
 
We recommend you contact us today, so we can set up an appointment to find the right solution for you.

If you go to your dentist and they explain that you are going to need dentures, did you realize you have options besides going through your dentist for those dentures? We recommend you do some research.

If you have dental insurance it could cover up to 50% of the expense when going through your dentist, but the out of pocket expense could still be very high because the dentist is charging you double, sometimes triple, the actual cost of the dentures.

This is because dentists don’t make your dentures. They either work with a denturist or denture lab. Regardless, there is a “middle man” between your dentist and the actual dentures.

We are the actual “maker” of your dentures, which means coming to Berlanga Dentures cuts out all the “middleman” costs. It also means you have less issues, because we work with you and your dentist through the entire process.

We recommend you call us to find out if we can work with your insurance company (or check here to see a list of our providers). Regardless, in the end, the cost will still be less than what you’d pay going through a dentist. Our prices are very reasonable, and we’ll work to find the right dentures for you and your budget.

Denturists practice denturism, the practice of making, altering, repairing and relining removable dentures directly to their patients. We are not involved in the extraction, however. You will work with your dentist for that, but after your teeth have been removed, your denturist is involved in the denture process from start to finish.

We encourage you to contact us at any of our three convenient locations located in the Puget Sound area (Tacoma, Parkland or Puyallup) to discuss all your options. We are a family-owned and operated business, and we strive to provide the best customer service for our clients.

Make an appointment today to see why Berlanga Dentures should be your #1 choice for your dentures and denture care.

• Always try to remove and rinse your dentures after you eat.  Fill the sink with water and run water over your dentures to remove any food debris. You can place a towel nearby or in the sink to avoid damaging your teeth if you drop them.
• Handle your dentures carefully.
• Always clean your mouth after you remove your dentures. Use a soft toothbrush or gauze to clean any natural teeth, tongue, cheeks and the roof of your mouth (palate). If used, remove any remaining denture adhesive from your gums.
• Brush your dentures at least once a day. Remove and gently clean your dentures daily using a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque and other deposits. We recommend Sparkledent or antibacterial soap and water. If you use denture adhesive, clean the grooves that fit against your gums. Never use denture cleansers inside your mouth.
• Soak your dentures overnight. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. We recommend Sparkledent or Polident. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the cleaning and soaking solution you choose. There are also simple storage cups for soaking, or some that assist with cleaning while your dentures soak.
• Always rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth, especially if you are using a denture-soaking solution. These solutions can contain harmful chemicals if swallowed.
• See your denturist if you have a loose fit. If your dentures become loose contact us right away. Loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection.
• See your denturist right away if your dentures break, and don’t try to fix them on your own
  

What to Avoid:

• Abrasive cleaning materials. Avoid stiff-bristled brushes, and do not use any type of toothpaste, whiteners or bleach to clean your dentures. These products are too abrasive and can damage your dentures.
• Hot water. Avoid very hot or boiling water which can warp your dentures.

First, don’t panic. Although a broken denture can be frustrating and a bit disconcerting, keep in mind that it is a common occurrence. You are certainly not alone, according to the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, there will be around 37 ½ million people wearing full dentures by the year 2020.
 
If you’ve broken a denture, Berlanga Dentures is here to help. Our repairs are very reasonable, we take walk-in repairs, and we can fix your dentures even if you didn’t purchase them through us.
 
What NOT to do When Your Dentures Break
Often people will try to repair, or temporarily mend their dentures at home.  This is not a good idea, as you will make it impossible for your denturist to repair them.  Do Not:  super glue, sand, or try to fix the denture with a file or tool. These interventions will damage the surface of the denture which makes it non-repairable. You will have to purchase new dentures.
 
What to Do When Your Dentures Break
Check to see exactly what has broken on your dentures. There are a few different ways your dentures can break: a piece of the pink acrylic might fall off, the denture could break in half, or a tooth can break, crack or fall out.
 
Call Us! – If you’ve discovered you’ve broken your denture the first thing you need to do is call us (or stop into one of our three locations), explain the situation, and identify the portion of your denture that has broken.
 
Beware of Denture Repair Kits
You can sometimes find “denture repair kits” in your local drug store, which are intended for emergency repair, but we highly discourage this. Most of these kits include a bonding material, and some may also contain temporary replacement teeth. While they may claim to be able to fix cracks, they too could damage or alter the surface of your denture making it impossible to repair.
 
Call or Come See Us Right Away!
We will repair your dentures and make any adjustments needed to ensure that your teeth fit comfortably and are fully functional once again. Yes, we take Walk-in Repairs!
 
How to Avoid Broken Dentures
It is important for us to point out that prevention is a key part of avoiding repairs and replacements. Your dentures will last longer and stay damage-free if cared for correctly. Make sure you are keeping your dentures clean, brush them regularly, rinse well, and soak them overnight. (See our blog post on how to clean your dentures.) When brushing your dentures, fill the sink with water, so if you do drop them, they have a softer impact and are less likely to break.
 
When was the last time you saw a highly qualified denturist? If it has been awhile since you’ve given your smile the attention it deserves, it may be time to make an appointment. Contact us soon to set up an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Tacoma, Puyallup or Parkland, WA. Our denturists are experts in their fields and can ensure that you have comfortable, well-functioning, and natural looking dentures that last a lifetime.