Overall, denture care is something many people aren’t familiar with, and this article will explain the proper care you need to clean and maintain your dentures.
If you’re missing a few (or all) of your teeth, false teeth can help you smile again. However, it would help if you learned how to clean dentures effectively so that they will look their best and last for a long time.
Let’s learn more about proper denture care!
Denture Care & Cleaning Tips
Denture wearers realize that proper denture care is crucial, but they might not know where to turn for help.
Here are a few tips from the professional denturist at Shreve Denture Clinic to consider:
- Brush Your Dentures Daily
It’s best to brush your dentures daily like your regular teeth. However, one significant difference here is that you won’t use toothpaste!
Most commercial toothpaste products can damage the dentures. Therefore, you will need a soft toothbrush designed for dentures and some water to clean all the surfaces.
After using the denture brush, rinse dentures thoroughly and consider using a denture-soaking solution overnight to remove any extra denture adhesive.
Likewise, you should be rinsing your dentures after every meal (simply water is fine). Though… throughout the night, you will want to be sure to use a soaking solution; this isn’t a substitute for proper brushing, either! You must brush them at least once a day to remove plaque!
- Treat Your Dentures Right with a Denture-soaking Solution
Putting a folded towel in the bathroom sink or filling it with water when you handle your dentures is best. Otherwise, you could break them if they fall to the ground or step on them.
When you’re not wearing them, let your dentures soak in plain water or a denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out completely.
Be careful about using cleaning solutions with a partial denture. The metal attachments could tarnish because of the denture cleanser.
It would be best if you never soaked dentures in hot water because they could warp, causing your dentures to need a realignment.
- Remove Complete or Partial Dentures Each Night (and Brush Your Natural Teeth)
Whether you have partial or complete dentures, you should remove them every night before you go to sleep. This will allow the gum tissue to rest and prepare for the next day.
If you don’t let the dentures rest, you could develop mouth sores or gum disease. Likewise, you might experience loose dentures over time.
How to Clean Dentures Properly
Plaque can quickly form on your dentures as it does with natural teeth. If you don’t remove them each day, your dentures will look less bright or white. Plus, you should clean your dentures with a special denture brush and soak dentures overnight to avoid odors.
Here are the steps to take to clean your dentures:
- Start by putting a towel in the sink or filling it with water to avoid dropping them. If the dentures break, you’d have to replace them, which costs money!
- Rinse dentures entirely in warm water to remove loose food particles.
- Use a special denture cleanser. Avoid conventional toothpaste, soap, and vinegar because they’re not designed for denture cleaning and might cause damage. Scratched dentures can harbor bacteria, which causes odor.
- Moisten your denture brush (don’t use a soft-bristled toothbrush) to clean the surfaces gently. Don’t press too hard because it could damage the metal or plastic parts. Then, rinse in clean, warm water.
- Next, you’ll want to brush your tongue, natural teeth, and gums with fluoride toothpaste. You may reinsert them if you’ve got a busy day ahead or put them in a soaking solution overnight while you sleep. Brushing inside your mouth will maintain your oral health now and in the future.
- Use a mouthwash to rinse after brushing to provide a more refreshed feeling.
Removing Your Dentures Safely
Owning removable dentures can help you feel normal, allowing you to smile without unsightly gaps or gums. However, removing them from your mouth the right way is crucial. Here are some steps to take:
- Use mouthwash or swish with warm water to wet the entire mouth.
- Fill up a sink with warm water so that the dentures won’t break if they’re dropped.
- Remove the top denture by putting your thumb against the front teeth and pressing outward and upward toward the nose.
- Remove the lower denture by pulling on it slowly while using a rocking motion.
If you use less denture adhesive, you may find it easier to remove the dentures when the time comes. Therefore, it’s best to get the proper denture fit from your dentist to use less or no adhesive!
Also, it is important to remove excess adhesive from your jaw bone; after you remove your dentures, a simple warm paper towel will do. If there is too much denture adhesive buildup, you will ingest most of it over time.
Why You Should Brush Your Dentures
Though most people use denture cleansers, you should also be brushing them. This will help you maintain a healthy color for your denture. Rinsing is also crucial because it will remove plaque and bits of food.
Once you’ve cleaned the dentures, brushing and rinsing them thoroughly, you should focus on the rest of your mouth. Don’t neglect your oral health simply because you have full or partial dentures.
Prolonging the Life of Your Dentures
Though cleaning is part of denture care, you should avoid leaving them on the counter because they could dry out. It’s often tempting to do this, but you don’t want to weaken dentures unnecessarily. Likewise, leaving them dry can cause them to lose their shape; when that happens, they won’t fit correctly and might lead to a poorly aligned bite. The only option is to try to repair them with a reline or replace them altogether!
Dry dentures also cause bacterial buildup. They’re left in the open air, so they’re exposed to pathogens. Once you put them in your mouth, you could get very sick!
To prevent these issues, proper care is necessary. Make sure you’re soaking dentures in an appropriate cleaning solution and follow all the dentist’s denture care instructions.
Where to Get Dentures and Support
Whether you want to fix broken dentures… get new ones, or have old dentures refitted, it’s best to consult with a dental professional. Our team at Shreve Denture Clinic is excellent because they will assess all your needs and help you decide what’s suitable for your situation and budget.
If you have questions about keeping your gums healthy or getting false teeth, please call 519.322.5900 to schedule an appointment for your free consultation!
