Key Takeaways
- Poor denture hygiene can lead to plaque buildup, bad breath, stains, infections, and other oral health problems.
- Clean your dentures daily by brushing, soaking, storing them properly, and cleaning your gums and any natural teeth.
- Rinse dentures after meals, use a suitable denture cleanser, handle them carefully, and schedule regular dental check-ups.
- Avoid sleeping in dentures (unless advised), hot water, abrasive cleaners, bleach, and zinc-based adhesives.
- Visit your dentist if your dentures become loose, damaged, uncomfortable, or cause mouth or gum problems.
Why Is Proper Denture Care Important?
Whether you are new to wearing dentures or have used them for years, proper care plays an important role in maintaining comfort, oral health, and the longevity of your dentures. Just like natural teeth, dentures can collect plaque, tartar, and food debris. Research shows that this buildup can lead to several oral health problems, including bad breath, an unpleasant taste, staining, and mouth infections.
Poor denture hygiene may also affect your overall health. Dentures can act as foreign objects in the mouth and may contribute to ongoing inflammation. This inflammation may increase the risk of infections in other parts of the body and has also been linked to health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. Taking proper care of your dentures also helps protect your investment.
With this in mind, we at Valley Ridge Dental have created this guide to walk you through simple steps on how to care for dentures, including cleaning, maintenance, and common mistakes to avoid after receiving denture treatment.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Your Dentures Every Day?
At Valley Ridge Dental, we recommend making denture care part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Here’s how to clean dentures properly:
1. Remove Your Dentures Safely Before Cleaning
Before cleaning your dentures, gently take them out of your mouth. When cleaning your dentures, place a folded towel in the sink or hold them over a container to reduce the risk of breakage if they fall.
2. Brush Your Dentures Every Day
Rinse away any food particles and remove any remaining denture adhesive. Use a soft-bristled brush with a non-abrasive or mild cleanser and lukewarm water to gently clean your dentures. Rinse them thoroughly after brushing.
3. Soak Your Dentures in a Cleansing Solution
Soak your dentures in a mild denture-cleansing solution to help loosen and remove any remaining plaque. Brushing and soaking together provide the best results.
4. Store Your Dentures Properly
When you’re not wearing your dentures, keep them in water or a denture-soaking solution, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This helps prevent them from drying out and losing their shape.
5. Clean Your Gums and Natural Teeth
While your dentures are out, take a few minutes to clean and care for your mouth. Gently brush your gums and tongue. If you have any natural teeth, remember to brush them regularly using fluoride toothpaste.
6. Rinse Thoroughly Before Wearing
Always rinse your dentures thoroughly with clean water before putting them back in your mouth, especially after using a denture-cleaning solution. This helps remove any cleanser residue that could irritate your mouth.
Note:
- Rinse your dentures with water after every meal to remove trapped food particles.
- Always use denture cleansers as directed by the manufacturer, including the recommended amount, water temperature, and soaking time.
- Denture cleansers are available as tablets, creams, pastes, gels, and solutions.
What Denture Maintenance Tips Should Every Denture Wearer Know?
These simple denture maintenance tips from our expert Dr. James Betz can help keep your dentures clean and support good oral hygiene:
- Remove and rinse your dentures after every meal to prevent buildup of food particles.
- Always remove your dentures before using a denture-cleansing solution.
- Choose a cleanser that removes bacteria and fungi, is safe for your denture material, and does not damage your dentures.
- Handle partial dentures gently to avoid bending the clasps.
- Visit your dentist once a year to check your denture fit, function, and oral health.
- If you are using denture adhesive:
- Use only a small amount of adhesive as directed.
- Remove all adhesive from your dentures and mouth every day.
- Long-term use of denture adhesive (more than 6 months) requires regular dental visits to check your dentures and oral health.
What Denture Care Mistakes Should You Avoid?
Practicing good habits when caring for dentures can help prevent damage. Keep these common denture care mistakes in mind:
- Remove your dentures before going to bed unless your dentist advises otherwise.
- Never soak or clean your dentures in boiling water, as it can cause them to warp.
- Avoid brushing your dentures too hard or using abrasive cleansers, as they may scratch and damage the surface and increase plaque buildup.
- Avoid using bleach and regular toothpaste on your dentures, as they may damage them.
- Be aware that some denture cleansers contain persulfate, which may cause allergic reactions in certain people.
- Avoid denture adhesives that contain zinc, as incorrect use may lead to health problems.
When Should You Have Your Dentures Checked?
Now that you know how to care for dentures properly and what to avoid, it’s also important to know when it’s time to have them checked. Visit your dentist if:
- Your dentures make a clicking sound when you speak.
- Your dentures feel loose, slip, or no longer fit properly.
- Your dentures cause pain or discomfort.
- Your dentures are worn, cracked, or broken. Bring any broken pieces with you, as your dentist may be able to repair them.
- You have red or bleeding gums, or persistent bad breath, as these may be signs of gum disease, a fungal infection, or tooth decay.
Do not skip your routine dental visits, even if you are not having any problems with your dentures. Your dentist will check that your dentures fit and function properly, examine your mouth for sores or bone loss, and assess your overall oral health.
Final Thoughts
Once you understand how to care for dentures, keeping them clean becomes a simple part of your daily routine. A combination of proper denture brushing and appropriate denture cleansers may provide optimal results by reducing plaque buildup and bacteria on dentures.
If you are considering denture treatment, finding the right denture starts with understanding your needs. Dr. Katie Daniels and Dr. James Betz, our dentists in Lake Elmo, MN, can guide you through personalized denture treatment options that can help restore your smile, comfort, and confidence.
Call: (651) 439-0322
Visit: 12425 55th Street North, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
FAQs
It is best to limit hard and crunchy foods, sticky or chewy foods, foods that require biting with your front teeth, and very hot or very cold foods.
Diluted vinegar may help remove tartar and bacteria from dentures, but do not use it on dentures with metal parts because it can cause damage.
Dentures typically need replacement every 5 to 10 years, depending on factors such as wear, fit, care routine, and changes in your gums and jawbone.
You can wear your dentures most of the time during the first few days as you adjust, but once your mouth gets used to them, remove them at night to give your gums six to eight hours of rest.
