How to care for your dentures
Removable partial or full dentures need proper care to keep them at their best, and it can be easy to forget to look after them properly. To keep your dentures clean and in the best condition possible, follow these tips!
Clean your dentures regularly
It’s important that you clean your dentures as much as you would your teeth. Make sure to clean them daily, by soaking them in or brushing them with a nonabrasive denture cleaner to remove deposits such as food or plaque. If you use denture adhesive rather than cleaner, make sure to clean the grooves which fit against your gums to remove remaining adhesive. Ensure you do not use denture cleaners inside the mouth. Keeping your dentures clean will prevent tooth loss, inflamed gums, and fungal infections. It is best to clean your dentures before you go to bed and, if possible, at least one other time in the day.
How to clean your dentures
Remove and rinse your dentures after eating, making sure that you clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel, in case you drop them. Brush your dentures before soaking them using toothpaste and a small- to medium-headed toothbrush to help remove any bits of food, and then run water over your dentures to remove any remaining debris. Using an effervescent (fizzy) denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and leave your dentures feeling fresher. Then brush the dentures again, as you would your own teeth, making sure to clean all the surfaces of the dentures. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can cause grooves in the surface. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative.
What you should avoid
Make sure you don’t use any type of bleaching product to clean your dentures, as this can weaken the dentures, as well as making them look bad. Also avoid using hot water to clean your dentures, as this weakens them too. Handle your dentures carefully – don’t bend them, or damage the clasps or plastic when cleaning them. Make sure to avoid using abrasive cleaning materials, such as whitening toothpastes, stiff-bristled brushes, and strong cleansers, as these can harm your dentures.
Advice for having a soft lining or metal dentures
If you have sensitive gums, you may need a softer lining for your dentures. If you have a special lining, check with your dentist before using any cleaning materials, as they may damage the lining. This is also the case if you have metal dentures, as some cleaning products can harm metal dentures and damage the clasps.
