9 easy ways to take care of your dentures

Are you worried that you’re not taking care of your dentures and it might cost a hefty amount to get a new one? Don’t panic we understand your concern and got for you a set of proven instructions by experts that will make your denture last a lot longer, and save you tons of money!

Below are few simple steps that you can use to get instant improvement in your denture oral health:

How to properly clean your dentures:

You will be amazed how simple it really is, Oral Health Foundation in 2018 divided it into 4 easy instructions:

1. Daily Brushing

2. Daily Soaking

3. Removal of Dentures at Night

4. Regular Dental Visits

Practicing these 4 habits will boost your denture’s life.

Now let’s get into details of these steps.

• Remove and Rinse your dentures after Eating

First things first, Remove and Rinse your dentures after each meal to rid of any food particles or debris. Dentures can be rinsed under tap water or special denture cleaning solutions. Avoid hot water as it can distort the shape of dentures. Rinse with cold or lukewarm water.

• Handle your Dentures with Care

Hold your dentures firmly and make sure to keep a towel underneath or fill the sink with water as the denture is brittle and might not survive a fall.

• How should I brush my dentures?

Use a soft brush and a special denture cleanser to brush the top as well as the base of the denture. Be sure to remove denture adhesives, if you are using any.

• Brush your Oral Cavity

After dentures, now it’s time to brush your gums, tongue, roof of the mouth(palate), and any remaining natural teeth using a soft-bristled brush. Special attention should be given to clean teeth that fit under the denture’s metal clasps, as food entrapment will greatly increase the chances of decay.

• Can I sleep wearing my dentures?

According to a 2014 study, 41% of subjects who wore their dentures overnight were at a high risk of not only denture sore mouth (denture stomatitis) but also pneumonia. Hence it is highly recommended to remove your dentures overnight.

• How to store dentures overnight?

It is recommended to keep your dentures stored in water or preferably denture cleansing solutions overnight. According to the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 2016, only special denture cleansers provided effective antimicrobial activity while preserving the dentures. Avoid using Bleach or Listerine mouthwash as it can cause staining and damage to dentures.

• Should I directly put back my dentures in the morning?

No, denture cleansers might contain substances that irritate your mucosa, so you should rinse your dentures with water before putting them back in.

• Visit your dentist regularly

It is highly recommended for all denture wearers visit their dentist every 6 months even if there are no apparent problems. If dentures start to become loose you should visit your dentist to fix it. Dentists also examine your whole oral cavity for any developing denture sore mouth or any decay on remaining natural teeth and act promptly to stop it in its tracks.

• What home remedies can I use for my denture cleanliness?

There are many home remedies advised by people e.g. using vinegar, soap, and table salt for cleaning dentures, but they are found to be ineffective against bacteria and plaque. It's also not recommended to use Chlorine to clean dentures as it corrodes the metal components of dentures. Avoid using strong solutions like bleach as it too corrodes dentures.

What will happen if I don’t clean my dentures?

Like natural teeth, not cleaning dentures will give you a smelly breath, altered taste, and even stains from tea or coffee.

Perhaps the most serious consequence is Denture Sore Mouth (denture stomatitis) which inflames your oral tissues giving an unpleasant feeling in your denture-bearing areas.

When to replace dentures?

So, you have followed all the instructions above but still, they aren’t as functional as they should be. It's time to visit your dentist!

American College of Prosthodontists recommends dentures evaluated to be changed at the presence of one of these factors:

1. Prolonged irritation underneath denture spaces despite of you cleaning it regularly.

2. Dentures requiring Adhesive application more than once a day.

3. Dentures not staying in place anymore due to degradation.

4. Dentures more than 5 years old.

5. Decay or loss of supporting teeth.

If the dentist considers your dentures to be meeting these criteria, he might give you a new set of dentures.

The secret to keeping your dentures clean is really to treat them like natural teeth. Keep them clean by practicing above mentioned simple but proven guidelines regularly. Visit your dentist regularly and get a new set of dentures if required. Wishing you the best of denture health!