Dentures Care and Maintenance

Dentures are a popular teeth replacement solution that can improve the function and appearance of your smile. They are designed to look like natural teeth and consist of different materials, such as acrylic and metal. Whether you are new to dentures or have been wearing them for years, it is important to properly care for and maintain them to ensure their longevity and oral health. Here are some tips and practices for denture care and maintenance.

Clean the dentures daily

Just like natural teeth, dentures can accumulate plaque, food particles, and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. This can make patients susceptible to gum disease, oral infections, and bad breath. The following tools can help keep dentures clean:

• A soft-bristled toothbrush
• Water
• Denture cleaning solution or mild dish soap
• A soft towel

Brush the dentures at least twice a day— once in the morning and once at night. Do not use regular toothpaste when cleaning the dentures. Many brands of toothpaste contain abrasive ingredients and can gradually damage the surface of the dentures, leading to small scratches or cracks.

While it is important to care for the dentures, it is equally important to clean the gums thoroughly. After removing the dentures, use a soft-bristled brush or damp cloth to gently clean the gums, tongue, and palate every morning and evening to remove plaque and stimulate circulation.

Soak the dentures overnight

Patients with dentures should not wear the appliance while sleeping. Soaking them overnight in a glass of water or a mild denture-cleaning solution gives their soft tissues a rest and helps keep the dentures moist and in shape. It also helps remove any remaining debris and stains.

However, one should thoroughly rinse the dentures before putting them back in the mouth, particularly if they have been soaking in a denture solution. These solutions may contain chemicals that can lead to vomiting, pain, or burns if the patient swallows them.

Schedule regular checkups

Scheduling regular checkups with a dentist is essential to maintaining one's oral health. Those with dentures need to continue to go to checkups every six months to ensure their dentures fit properly and address any potential issues early on, such as mouth sores, bleeding gums, and bad breath. Additionally, the dentist can professionally clean the dentures and provide additional care and maintenance advice.

Patients experiencing issues with their dentures should make an appointment as soon as possible. Contact the dentist if the dentures:

• Feel uncomfortable
• Easily slip or no longer fit properly
• Make noise when talking or eating
• Visibly cracked, scratched, or broken
• A false tooth falls out