Your dentures are designed to be a long-term investment that works effectively while giving you a beautiful smile, but they can only serve in this manner if you take proper care of them. Improper denture care can lead to oral infections, visible deterioration, or the breaking of the appliance, all of which can require it to be replaced sooner. Here’s a brief overview of how to take care of dentures to make sure that yours stay in great shape for as long as possible.
Why Should I Clean My Dentures?
Just like plaque and food debris can stick to real teeth, they can accumulate upon dentures where they create unsightly buildups or even cause oral infections. Neglecting to clean your dentures can increase your risk of issues like gum disease and bad breath while also detracting from the beauty of your smile.
How Should I Clean My Dentures?
It’s important to clean your dentures on a daily basis. While cleaning them once a day is generally sufficient, doing so twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) is even better. To clean your dentures, you’ll need a soft-bristled denture brush, mild soap or an approved denture cleaning product, and cool or lukewarm water. It’s important not to use the same brush that you use for your remaining natural teeth and to remember that conventional toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that can scratch your dentures and diminish their beauty.
Before taking your dentures out for cleaning, fill the basin of your sink with cool or lukewarm water and place folded towels over your countertop to create a cushion in case you drop them. Begin by removing your dentures and rinsing them with warm water. Using your denture brush and an appropriate cleaning product, gently brush them to loosen and eliminate plaque, food debris, bacteria, and denture adhesive. After you’re done brushing them, rinse them with warm water. Remember that using hot water or harsh cleaning products can warp and ruin your dentures.
How Should I Maintain My Dentures?
After eating or drinking anything but water, remove your dentures and thoroughly rinse them to help prevent the accumulation of plaque and food residue. This will also prevent unsightly food debris from showing up in your smile between meals.
Your gums need at least eight hours apart from your dentures every day so they can rest and undergo the mouth’s natural cleaning process. Most patients soak their dentures at night before they go to bed. After cleaning your dentures for the evening, place them in a glass full of cool or lukewarm water or an approved soaking solution to prevent them from drying out. Before you put them back in after waking up, thoroughly rinse them to eliminate any remaining cleaning product. Many of these products are toxic, so you don’t want to swallow them.
With excellent care, your dentures can last for ten years before needing replacement. This can save you from having to pay for a new appliance sooner while also keeping your smile beautiful.
About the Author
Dr. Parsia Koleini earned his dental degree at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. His office in Haverhill, MA, offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about proper denture care, contact his office online or dial (978) 650-2793.