How To Take Care Of Dentures

Whether you have lost teeth or want to improve the appearance of your smile, dentures are a common solution designed to look natural. Partial or complete dentures are made from different materials like metal or acrylic, and though they are false teeth, they require regular maintenance. Taking care of these false teeth involves more than brushing, and there are other steps to ensure they remain in good condition. Below are some tips on how to take care of your dentures.

How To Clean Your Dentures

Like natural teeth, plaque and food can get stuck in dentures. Plaque is a film of bacteria that hardens on the teeth after drinking or eating. If you avoid cleaning your dentures, this plaque can build up and put you at risk of gum disease. 

Clean teeth, even fake teeth, are essential to your overall health. Here are the materials you will need to keep your dentures clean: 

• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Denture cleaning solution or a mild soap
• Water
• Soft towel

Brush your dentures once or twice a day like regular teeth, in the morning and at night. Avoid using toothpaste when washing your dentures as it contains ingredients harmful to false teeth. In addition, toothpaste can damage the denture surface and leave small cracks or scratches. A soft bristles toothbrush designed for dentures can prevent you from scratching the surface. 

Brushing is an essential component of cleaning your dentures; however, it is not the only step. To maintain your dentures long-term, they must be thoroughly cleaned every night after removal. 

Step 1

Place a soft towel on your bathroom counter. This will act as a protective cushion in case you drop them. 

Step 2 

Remove your dentures and rinse with warm water. 

Step 3

Using your soft-bristled toothbrush, brush the dentures to remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles. Ensure that you clean all areas of the denture surface. During this step, you can use a denture cleaner or mild soap. 

Step 4

Before going to bed, soak your dentures in warm water or denture solution for the night. This prevents them from drying out and losing their shape. Then, rinse them off in the morning before wearing them. 

Tips To Maintain Your Dentures

Dentures can last between 7 and 10 years if properly cared for. Below are a few tips to help extend the denture’s life. 

• Rinse your dentures with warm water after eating to prevent the build-up of particles and food debris.
• Handle your dentures carefully, as they are fragile and can easily break. 
• Don’t apply toothpaste to your dentures; toothpaste and whitening products can cause scratches.
• Don’t sleep with your dentures in your mouth. 
• Soak your dentures overnight in warm water or solution. 
• Don’t attempt to fix your dentures if they break; call your dentist. 

Dentures are a common solution to enhance the appearance of your smile. However, if not properly cared for, damage may occur. Cleaning your dentures can extend their life, and ensuring that you clean them with the proper tool is essential. In addition, soaking your dentures can prevent them from drying out and losing shape. If you experience any problems with your dentures, do not try fixing them yourself, which can lead to further damage. If you have dentures, it is important to schedule regular checkups; visit our website to learn more about how you can make an appointment.