How to Manage Your Dentures
Dentures are an investment in your oral health, well-being, and quality of life, so taking good care of them is important. Properly maintaining dentures will ensure they stay strong and beautiful-looking while continuing to fit comfortably and securely.
At Great Lakes Dental, we're proud to provide our patients with high-quality, custom-designed, and personally fitted dentures for superior smile restoration. Our dentists offer thorough instructions and guidance for maintaining dentures, and this article can help you continue following their advice.
How to Maintain Your Dentures With Proper Denture Care
Cleaning Your Dentures
Even though dentures are made from synthetic materials and are not real teeth, they still require daily cleaning and care. Food debris and plaque cling to dentures the same way they stick to natural teeth. If plaque and food debris accumulate on your dentures, then they can cause bad breath and lead to the development of periodontal (gum) disease - just like not brushing and flossing natural teeth can lead to bad breath and gum disease.
Denture Cleaning Supplies
To clean your dentures, you will need:
- Water
- Denture cleaning solution or mild soap
- A soft-bristled toothbrush designed for dentures
- A soft towel
How to Clean Your Dentures
- Before removing your dentures, fold a clean towel and place it over your countertop to create a soft surface that can cushion your dentures if you accidentally drop them.
- Remove your dentures and rinse them with clean water.
- Use a denture brush and mild soap or a denture cleanser to gently remove plaque, bacteria, food particles, and denture adhesives. Thoroughly brush every surface.
- If you are going to sleep, be sure to soak your dentures overnight in cool water or a denture-soaking solution. Keeping your dentures wet at all times will prevent them from losing their shape and becoming brittle.
How Often to Clean Dentures
Dentures should be cleaned at least once a day, but it is best to brush them twice a day (in the morning before you put them in and at night before placing them in a soaking solution before going to bed).
Additional Denture-Cleaning and Care Tips
- Do not brush your dentures with toothpaste.
- Do not use teeth-whitening products on your dentures.
- Never soak dentures in hot water, as this can warp their shape and damage their construction.
- Rinse your dentures with water after meals.
- Remember that dentures are fragile and slippery. They should be handled with care. Always remove them with a soft towel covering the countertop surface to cushion them if they are dropped.
- Never let your dentures dry out.
- Don't neglect your natural teeth. Be sure to continue caring for your remaining natural teeth by brushing and flossing twice a day.
Professional Denture Maintenance
Patients with dentures should continue visiting the dentist regularly. Be sure to bring your dentures with you to your dental appointments. During your dental examination, our dentists will inspect and evaluate your dentures. Your mouth and bone structure can change naturally over time, and our dentists will examine how your dentures fit to make any adjustments that might be needed.
If your dentures break, do not fit comfortably, move around in your mouth, or cause soft tissue sores, then you should bring them to your dentist right away. Do not attempt to repair broken dentures at home, as this can cause even more damage.
What to Look for When Choosing Denture Products
Selecting the right denture care products is vital to safeguarding your dentures and extending their useful life. Overly abrasive cleansers can damage your dentures, while low-quality adhesives won't provide a very comfortable denture-wear experience.
When shopping for denture products, be sure to choose denture care products marked with the American Dental Association's ADA Seal of Approval. This mark indicates that the denture product has been tested for safety and efficacy by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.
You can look for this seal on products in stores or view/search a list of approved denture cleansers and denture adhesives on the ADA's website.
Denture Guidance and Ongoing Maintenance With Our Dentists in Mentor, Ohio
Our dentists at Great Lakes Dental are proud to provide our patients with comprehensive restorative dental care, and we are always here to help. Whether you're looking for denture care product recommendations, have a question about cleaning and maintaining your dentures, or need to have your dentures repaired, we're here for you! We welcome you to contact our office anytime for ongoing support, maintenance, and care.