Dentures have evolved considerably from what they once were, and people of all ages are now seeing the benefits of using them. As a new denture wearer, you might be wondering how to best care for your dentures, and how they should be cleaned and best cared for. Good denture care and maintenance can prolong their lifespan and make them more comfortable to wear.
As a new denture wearer, you might not be certain about what you can and can’t do and the best ways to clean and care for them so we have put together this helpful guide to provide some more insight into what you should and shouldn’t do with your dentures.
Recommended Practice
Ensure that you remove your dentures at the end of the day before you go to sleep at night. Make sure you clean them and your teeth too. If you leave your dentures in for too long, they can result in swelling, infections and sores which can be uncomfortable or painful. Make sure that your dentures are kept moist overnight to prevent them from drying out.
Brush your dentures every day with a soft denture cleaning brush, using warm water and an approved denture cleaner. Make sure that you place a towel into the sink or on the surface where you are cleaning them so that if they slip out of your hands, they won’t fall onto the surface and break.
Make sure that you look after your mouth and gums on which the dentures sit. For dentures to work properly they need to sit comfortably on healthy gums. When you take out your dentures, whether you have a full or partial set, make sure that you gently brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove any bacteria that may have built up over the course of the day.
What Not To Do
Don’t use toothpicks or dental scrapers on your dentures because these can cause damage.
Avoid pulling or tugging on food when you eat with dentures and avoid using the front dentures on harder foods because they can break or chip. Smaller bits are recommended to reduce the wear and tear on your dentures and prevent them from breaking.
Don’t use toothpaste on your dentures because they are made of much softer material than your own teeth. Toothpaste also contains abrasives which can cause tiny scratches in the surface of the denture, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.
Don’t let the dentures dry out. Place them into a glass or container overnight either with plain tap water or in a suitable dental cleaning solution. Avoid soaking dentures in hot water too because they can warp.
Good denture care is important not only to keep your mouth healthy but to prolong the lifespan of your new dentures.
