Dr Michael Smith D.M.D.

Dental

How to Care for Your Dentures?

After weeks, months, maybe even years of missing teeth, you now have a new set of dentures and you can eat, smile and kiss again with ease! Now you just need to take care of your new teeth so they will last for years. These helpful tips will guide you to take care of your removable dentures:

 

  1. Wear them as much as possible during the day. This helps prevent further bone loss.

 

  1. Don’t lose them! This might seem obvious, but a lot of people misplace their dentures. A common mistake: Wrapping the denture in a napkin and then throwing it out or leaving it behind at a restaurant.

 

  1. Don’t leave them near pets!

 

  1. Clean or handle your denture when there is a soft surface, like a basin of water or a folded towel, beneath your hand in case you drop it. Otherwise, the fall could break the prosthesis.

 

  1. Rinse after eating. Holding your removable denture under running water for a minute will help remove food and debris. Failing to do so can lead to infection of the soft tissue under the denture.

 

  1. Don’t let your dentures dry out. If they become dry, they can warp. Always store them in a container with enough water to cover the dentures.

 

  1. Don’t soak the dentures in hot water. Only soak them in cool or lukewarm water.

 

  1. Use a very soft toothbrush and toothpaste made especially for removable dentures when you clean them. Hard-bristled brushes and regular toothpaste can be abrasive and create rough patches on your dentures.

 

  1. Clean your dentures twice a day using the method recommended by your dentist. Add a cleaning solution at least three times a week. There are several denture-cleaning tablets to choose from; ask your dentist for a recommendation.

 

  1. Make sure your dentures fit correctly. With a denture, your style of eating will change. More than likely, you will have a sore spot, especially if you are a first-time denture-wearer. Patients should always return to their dentist within 24 to 48 hours of getting their denture to see if any adjustments are needed.”

 

Part of your denture care involves caring for your mouth and gums. It’s important to take out the removable prosthesis at night to give your gum tissue a break from the pressure of wearing the denture all day. Also, a soft toothbrush should be used twice-daily to brush your tongue and gums. Brushing removes plaque and stimulates circulation, which helps keep the gums healthy.

 

Your personal hygiene, diet and habits, including teeth-grinding, can all influence how long your dentures will last. Typically, if you take care of them correctly, your new set of teeth should last you five to eight years.