Modern dentures are incredibly impressive. Highly detailed and natural in appearance and extremely comfortable to wear, your dentures might even fool you from time to time! However, dentures require special maintenance in order to stay clean and comfy. Use the tips below if you’re wondering how to care for dentures.
How to Care for Dentures
Chewing and Eating
To protect your dentures, avoid chewing on ice or other hard objects. As you’re getting used to your dentures, focus on eating softer foods and cutting your food into small bites to make eating a little easier. Small pieces of food will sometimes make their way under your dentures while you eat; when this happens, simply remove your dentures and rinse them with water.
Brushing and Flossing
Just because you wear dentures, that doesn’t mean you can forget about brushing and flossing. Brush your tongue, gums, palate, and any remaining teeth at least twice a day to keep them free of plaque and bacteria. Brushing your mouth is also a great way to massage your gums and keep your breath fresh. Additionally, your dentist may recommend dental floss, mouth rinses, and other cleaning aids to keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Cleaning Dentures
We recommend that you clean your dentures over a sink full of water so that if you accidentally drop them, they won’t break. Use a denture brush and a denture cleaning product to clean your dentures at least once a day, making sure that you thoroughly clean all of the surfaces of each denture. Your dentist may recommend that you use special denture cleansers or brushes.
In addition, you need to periodically soak your denture in a commercial soaking solution. If your denture has no metal parts, you can soak it in a solution of half white vinegar and half water. When you’ve finished soaking your dentures, rinse them thoroughly in cool water.
Sleeping & Storing
Unless your dental team tells you otherwise, you should remove your dentures for sleeping (or for at least 6-8 hours a day). This gives your gums and bones a chance to relax from the pressure of wearing dentures all day. Store your dentures in water or in a soaking solution whenever they’re out of your mouth so that they don’t dry out and warp. Be sure that you leave your dentures in a safe place, away from children or pets who might meddle with them. If you don’t properly store your dentures, they could break, crack, or become so misshapen that they no longer fit in your mouth.
When to Call Your Dentist
Call your dentist right away if any of the following situations occur:
- Your denture breaks, cracks, or chips.
- A tooth becomes loose.
- Your bite feels uneven.
- Your dentures feel loose.
- You’re experiencing soreness, irritation, swelling, or discomfort.
- You have questions or concerns about your dentures.
Your dentist can properly repair your dentures, adjust them to better fit your mouth, and provide advice regarding how to care for dentures. Speaking of which, if you’re new to the world of dentures, you might find some of our previous blog posts helpful:
- Life with Dentures
- Benefits of Dentures
- Tips for Wearing Dentures
- Types of Dentures
- What Is a Partial Denture?
- Denture Adjustments and Relines
- Common Denture Problems
Contact Keen Smiles Family Dental if you have any questions or concerns. Our trained staff is committed to giving you perfectly fitted dentures and equipping you with the support and knowledge you need to keep your dentures looking great for years to come. If you’re ready to feel confident in your smile again, contact us online to set up a denture consultation today.
