New to dentures? Maybe you’ve had them for a while, but were never really sure how to take the best care of them? Or, possibly, your parents have dentures and you have a feeling they could benefit from a few quick pointers relayed to them. Well, here you go! Here are some tips on caring for dentures.
Things to do:
- Be gentle with your dentures and handle them with care.It’s easy to drop your dentures while cleaning them. To avoid this, have a folded towel on the counter or a full sink of water while cleaning them.
- Clean your dentures with a denture cleaner. Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid will do! You can also find specifically-made denture cleaning solutions.
- Take proper care of your dentures when you aren’t wearing them. Dentures should be kept moist when you aren’t wearing them. If not, they will lose shape or dry out! When you aren’t wearing them, soak them in water or a denture cleansing solution.
- Soak them in a denture-safe solution overnight. Be sure to soak the dentures in a denture-safe solution like mentioned above. Also, your dentist can recommend the best methods for caring for your particular dentures.
Things not to do:
- You should not sleep with your dentures in. Sleeping with dentures in can cause a number of oral problems! This can result in plaque build-up, gum inflammation and more serious issues. It is best to soak your dentures at night and give your gums and other denture-bearing tissues a chance to rest and recover.
- Don’t clean your dentures with toothpaste or other harsh cleaners.Toothpaste is too abrasive for dentures and can create microscopic scratches in the denture, which will give space for food and plaque to build-up.
- Don’t brush your dentures with a hard or stiff bristled toothbrush.Use a brush with soft bristles because hard-bristled brushes can damage dentures and cause them to wear down.
- Don’t try to adjust or repair dentures yourself.Bending parts of the clasps or other metal attachments on your own can weaken the denture or permanently damage it. Also, never use over the counter glues on your denture because the glues may contain harmful chemicals.
Other important advice for caring for dentures:
- Due to natural wear and tear, dentures will need to be relined or possibly remade over time.
- Generally, you should replace your dentures after 5-7 years of usage.
- Even if you have full dentures, you should still brush your gums and tongue with a soft-bristled brush. Its best to brush before inserting your dentures as brushing removes plaque and bacteria while also stimulating circulation in your mouth.
- Regular dental visits (every 6 months) are important! Your dentures and mouth need to be examined for signs of oral diseases and to make sure the dentures fit properly.
As always, call us at Fulp Family Dentistry with any questions or to make an appointment!
