Dentures are an effective substitute for missing teeth. With the right care, you can keep them longer and continue doing normal activities (like chewing and speaking) as you would with your natural teeth.

However, like other treatments, like braces, it’s important you give your dentures the right care to ensure they do their jobs properly. Good denture care is essential to maximizing the comfort and lifespan of your dentures so you can keep using them for years to come.

Adhere to the denture care instruction of your denturist and follow these helpful tips to effectively clean your dentures and keep them safe:

Do

Clean Your Tongue, Teeth, and Gums

Even after you get your dentures, you need to continue taking good care of your oral health. Precision dentures will need a healthy base in the form of your gums to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.

Gently brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria and plaque. Going through the motions of cleaning can also be a great way to stimulate the tissues in your mouth and help them thrive. When you’re done, remember to brush and floss any remaining natural teeth as well.

Brush Your Dentures Daily

As part of good denture care for seniors, it’s vital you brush and clean your dentures every day to remove leftover food particles and keep the dentures free of plaque. For ideal results, use a denture-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. These types of toothbrushes and toothpaste are specifically designed for cleaning dentures; use them to avoid causing damage that could be noticed when you put your dentures on.

Rinse the dentures in warm water first, then gently brush your dentures, focusing on each area to remove leftover food particles. Be sure to brush on a counter or table with a towel underneath to catch the dentures in case they fall.

Rinse After Every Meal

One great way to minimize plaque growth on your dentures is to rinse them with water after every meal. There are plenty of chemicals in food (for example, sugars and carbs) that can harm the enamel on your dentures if left long enough. Preserve your dentures by remembering to rinse gently after every meal.

Run some water over your dentures to remove food debris, particularly any loose particles left over. Speaking of rinsing, remember to rinse your dentures before putting them on to wash the cleaning solution. Rinse them in cool water, and be sure to get every nook and cranny.

Take Your Dentures out Overnight

It’s important your dentures get a break every day to help them retain their shape. Part of cleaning dentures includes removing them and letting them soak for at least 6 hours a day. You can usually do this before going to bed to give your mouth a chance to rest while you’re at it. Removing the dentures for a good night’s sleep also gives the tissues in the mouth a chance to recover from wearing the dentures for much of the day.

Your denturist will give you a specialized dental cleaner to keep your dentures from drying out. The cleaner can also help eliminate bacteria that have accumulated on your dentures, making them safer to use when you put them on again. Make soaking the dentures before going to bed a habit to ensure they get the treatment they need.

Visit Your Denturist Regularly

Regular checkups are an integral part of maintaining your oral health. Make arrangements with your denturist to meet at least twice a year to ensure you can have your teeth and mouth looked at regularly. These meetings are a great time to have your dentures inspected to stay ahead of any problems. Over time, your gums may also shift, requiring dental relines so you can be fitted for new dentures.

Your denturist can give you advance warning so you can prepare ahead and get your new dentures right away. Seeing your denturist regularly will allow you to have your mouth checked to identify problems before they turn into major issues.

Don’ts

Don’t Use a Regular Toothbrush

Specialized toothbrushes and toothpaste are a must in terms of denture cleaning products. Refrain from using any cleaning materials with stiff, abrasive bristles or harsh cleansers and toothpaste to avoid causing any scratches. A standard toothbrush has abrasive bristles that could damage your dentures over time.

Standard toothpaste is meant for cleaning the enamel on teeth. In contrast, dentures are made of acrylic resin or metal that can find itself worn away by regular toothpaste. Stick to your designated denture cleaning kit; cleaning your dentures with those items helps you keep them clean and helps them last much longer.

Don’t Rinse With Hot Water

It’s always important to clean and rinse your dentures properly as part of basic dental care for seniors. However, while hot water can be effective at killing bacteria, avoid using it to clean your dentures. The heat can warp the shape of your dentures, which can affect how well they fit in your mouth.

Stick to cooler water to keep your dentures in shape. A good rule of thumb is sticking to cold or at most warm water while cleaning or rinsing.

Don’t Use Bleach for Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning your dentures, it’s usually more prudent to stick to the directions you’ve been given. Refrain from experimenting with bleach-based products, even if bleach is can effectively kill germs. Bleaching products can cause discolouration in your dentures and weaken them, making them more susceptible to damage. Bleach also contains harmful chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.

Stick to your recommended cleaning agents instead to avoid damaging the dentures and your health.

Don’t Neglect the Dentures

Dentures are an important part of your day-to-day life, and it is a good idea to take good care of them to ensure they can serve you for much longer. Handle your dentures with the utmost care to avoid causing any kind of damage.

Whenever you have to remove your dentures for any reason, always keep them in a safe location to minimize the risk of damage. When you’ve taken them off in the bathroom, place your dentures on a soft towel far from the sink to reduce the risk of falling. When you do return the dentures, sanitize them first to kill any germs and keep them safe for your mouth.

When you need dentures to replace your natural teeth, it’s important you find someone who does good work. At Smiles Denture Care Centre, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality dental replacements in a comfortable and warm environment where you can feel relaxed. Call us now at (519) 457-2800 to make an appointment. Your smile is always our first priority.