so. This can be avoided by sensible dental health practices throughout your lifetime.

Good, thorough brushing and removal of plaque plays a significant part in the prevention of dental disease.

For those people who do have dentures, don't think that you need not take special care. You do. You should remove and clean your dentures after meals, scrub thoroughly with a denture brush using soap and water, (a little baking soda removes stains), rinse well before using them again.

You should remove your dentures and soak them in luke-warm water overnight.

This enables the gums to breathe, massage and clean the inside of your mouth with a soft brush or moistened gauze.

Ask your dentist to check the fit of your dentures regularly because your mouth continues to change throughout your life. Poorly fitting dentures can cause ulcers, pain and difficulty with chewing.

JOY SMITH Department of Health and Social Services