When it comes to caring for your dentures, cleaning is a vital component for how they will continue to function best in your mouth.
This is true for both partial or full dentures. Keeping them free from bacteria and oral debris protects your oral health and appearance.
The first thing you want to do it make sure you take your dentures out and rinse them after you eat. Getting rid of food particles, oral debris and plaque will help them look and feel good in your mouth. For those times when you can’t clean them after eating, you’ll still want to rinse and brush them once a day, at least.
Cleaning solutions can be an over-the-counter denture cleaner, mild dish soap, or liquid hand soap, just be sure to rinse the cleaning solution off thoroughly afterward, as some can cause vomiting, pain, or burns. When you take them out handle your dentures gently as they are delicate and may break if dropped. Placing a soft towel on your working surface or over the sink and filling it will water will cushion your dentures should you accidentally drop them. You will want to brush them gently with a soft toothbrush or denture brush, cleaning the inside and outside of all surfaces remove residue and minimize permanent stains.
Maintaining your natural teeth and healthy gum tissue means brushing twice daily. Also clean your tongue, roof of the mouth, and cheeks with gauze or a soft toothbrush.
Taking your dentures out while you sleep is healthy for your gums and soaking them in a solution overnight protects your dentures from warping or drying out. The denture solution should simply be room temperature.
It’s also important to keep your dentures out of reach of children or pets. You don’t want them to be played with or chewed on! What you don’t do with your dentures is just as important as what you do with them. For example:
– Never use abrasive cleaning materials such as harsh cleaners, brushes with stiff bristles, or abrasive toothpaste to clean your dentures.
– Never use whitening toothpaste as it may contain peroxide and damage the denture material.
– Never use bleach products to clean dentures, as they can corrode the metal attachments of your dentures. They can also weaken the denture base and denture teeth as well as alter the color.
– Never soak your dentures in hot or boiling water, as this could warp them and alter their fit.
– Never bend the plastic or the clasps when cleaning to avoid damaging them.
Taking good care of your oral health as well as your dentures means having routine dental checkups and cleanings for your teeth and gums, and to check your dentures and their fit. Should your dentures feel loose when you wear them, you will want to see your dentist as quickly as possible to avoid irritation, sores, and infection. If you have any questions about denture care or fit, please give our team a call today!
