Dos and Don’ts of Denture Care

Dos and Don’ts of Denture Care

Ask any long-term denture wearer and they’ll confirm that taking proper care of your dentures is an absolute must. After all, your dentures are what give you your confidence back after losing one or more natural teeth, so it’s worth keeping them clean and in good order! To help you get the most out of your dentures, we’ve listed a few of the most important Dos and Don’ts of denture care.

Do:

Keep Your Dentures Moist and Soak them Overnight. Dry dentures tend to become brittle, which increases the chances of them cracking or breaking. What’s more, dry, stiff dentures can lose their shape, making them uncomfortable when wearing them. To ensure your dentures remain sufficiently moist and flexible, always take them out before bed and soak them in warm water or a denture cleanser. Just like taking off your shoes after a long day is good for your feet, removing your dentures for at least six hours a day allows your mouth to recover and minimizes the chances of discomfort the next time you wear your dentures.

Regularly Rinse Your Dentures and Your Mouth Throughout the Day. This is especially important if you use a specialized denture soak overnight. Rinsing off your dentures gets rid of any lingering chemicals from the soaking solution which could make you sick. It’s also good practice to remove your dentures and rinse them under warm water after eating to get rid of any food particles that may have stuck to them. In turn, rinsing your mouth after eating and before putting on your dentures also helps get rid of any food debris that could otherwise get caught between your gums and dentures.

Brush Your Dentures and Gums Daily. Just because you wear dentures, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to practice proper oral hygiene. Just like you would with your natural teeth, brush your dentures and your gums at least twice a day – once before you wear your dentures in the morning, and once when taking them before bed. Use a soft-bristled brush and a denture cleaner to thoroughly clean your dentures, and gently brush your gums and tongue to remove any plaque or bacteria build-up. Of course, be sure to take proper care of any remaining natural teeth you have.

Schedule Regular Checkups with Your Denturist. An important part of denture care is regularly getting your dentures and mouth checked by your denturist. Your denturist will ensure your dentures fit correctly and are properly cleaned and examined as needed. They’ll also recommend and perform any adjustments necessary to prevent any discomfort and slipping associated with loose or ill-fitting dentures. Loose dentures are known to cause discomfort, irritation, and even infection and wounds in severe cases, so make sure you regularly schedule checkups with your denturist and immediately contact them if you feel any unusual discomfort while wearing your dentures.

Don’t:

Wear Your Dentures Overnight. Leaving your dentures in overnight instead of taking them out and soaking them can cause a whole host of problems. From plaque and bacteria build-up to soreness and discomfort, wearing your dentures overnight is more trouble than it’s worth, and is something no professional denturist will ever recommend. Be sure to take out your dentures for at least six hours every day to avoid discomfort and future health issues.

Rinse Your Dentures in Boiling or Hot Water. Because of the materials used to make dentures, rinsing them in hot or boiling water could warp and weaken them. Do yourself a favour and only use warm water when rinsing or cleaning your dentures. This will help keep your dentures in good condition for as long as possible and ensure they fit snugly.

Use Abrasive Cleaners or Whitening Toothpastes. Abrasive cleaners like hard toothbrushes and even certain kinds of toothpaste could damage your dentures over time, so it’s best to avoid them. On that note, do not use any sharp objects like toothpicks or dental scrapers to clean your dentures to avoid damaging them. Whitening toothpaste also often contains hydrogen peroxide, which has no effect on the color of your dentures and could even corrode or tarnish any metal attachments on them.

Bite Down Hard or Take Large Bites of Food. While it can take time to get used to eating with your dentures, it’s important not to get too confident and take too large of a bite. Avoid biting down hard too, since both taking large bites and biting down hard can potentially damage your dentures or cause them to slip and possibly harm your gums and mouth tissue.

Learn More About Denture Care in Calgary

Taking proper care of your dentures doesn’t have to take more than a few minutes a day, and can save you plenty of time discomfort, and money in the long run. If you’re in the Calgary area and have more questions about dentures and denture care, reach out to Hillhurst Denture Clinic today at 403-283-1272 or email us online to book a free consultation with a professional denturist.