How Do I Care For My Dentures?

One of the biggest concerns people have when deciding to get dentures is how long will they last? Dentures are like regular teeth in that they too will experience wear and tear, but with proper care they can last several years. Natural changes in your mouth structure with age will require annual check-ups, but it is important to continue overall dental hygiene and follow your dentist instructions on how to clean and care for your dentures.

Even if you have full dentures you still need to make sure you are brushing your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth every day. This is especially important to do before you inset your dentures to help stimulate circulation in your gum tissue and prevent plaque from getting trapped under the denture all day. For partial dentures it is especially import to keep your gums healthy to support your remaining teeth that dentures might be attached to. It is easy to assume that dentures don’t need as much dental hygiene because they do not decay like regular teeth, but gum health affects how your partial and full dentures fit and feel in your mouth.

Just like your real teeth, dentures need to be brushed daily. Food particles and plaque will build up on them and cause staining. There are several steps to caring for your dentures.

• First you need to brush your dentures to remove food and debris. When cleaning your dentures fill the sink with cool to room temperature water. Dentures can be fragile and you do not want them to fall into the empty sink while you are cleaning them.
• Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser. Make sure you gently brush the surface of your dentures so that they don’t get scratched.
• Make sure to brush your entire mouth to remove plaque and keep circulation in your gums so your dentures continue to fit properly and feel good in your mouth.
• Take your dentures out each night and keep them covered in water so they don’t warp. Never use hot water because this can warp and damage your dentures. Make sure you put them in a safe place so that they are not knocked over or dropped and damaged.
• If you use adhesives make sure you follow the instructions on the packaging. Oftentimes dentures that need adhesive, actually just need to be realigned. Your dentist can recommend whether a denture realignment is needed or an adhesive that is best for your type of dentures. An ADA Seal of Acceptance will let you know that the adhesive has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

If you take care of your dentures, they can be used for up to five to seven years before they will need to be replaced. You will still need to see your dentist for annual checkups to check for gum disease and to make sure your dentures are still fitting in your mouth properly. If you need new dentures or just want a consultation, please call the denture experts at Tempe Dental Care!