FAQs and Tips: How to Care for Your Dentures
Denture Care Tips
Handle your dentures with care. To avoid accidental breakage by dropping them, stand over a folded towel or a full sink of water when handling them.
Be sure to brush and rinse your dentures daily. Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food and plaque from their surfaces. Brushing also helps prevent the development of permanent, unsightly stains.
Always use a brush with soft bristles that is specifically designed for cleaning dentures. Avoid using a hard-bristled brush that can cause damage to your dentures.
Gently brush all surfaces of your dentures, and be careful not to damage the plastic or bend any of its attachments. In between brushings, rinse your dentures after every meal. Don’t forget about your gums; regular brushing with a soft toothbrush stimulates the tissues and promotes blood flow to the area.
Remove your dentures while you sleep to allow your tissues and oral cavity to rest. Store your dentures in a denture container with some water in it to keep the dentures moist.
Never try to adjust your dentures yourself! Take them to a dental professional for all adjustments.
Don’t wear ill-fitting, loose dentures! Get them checked immediately to avoid excessive pressure on your gums and bones, which can result in painful spots and even bone shrinkage if left untreated.
Be sure to check for worn teeth from time to time and visit your denture professional for regular check-ups. Just as you would go to the dentist for routine check-ups on your natural teeth, you should go to the denture specialist for routine check-ups and preventative maintenance.
Regularly see your dentist for assessment of the oral tissues and bone.
Dentures should soak in a denture cleansing solution or in cool water. If your dentures contain metal attachments, these attachments could tarnish if placed in a soaking solution for longer than the recommended time. Your denturist can recommend the best methods for caring for your particular type of denture.