Tips for Taking Care of Dentures

Taking care of your dentures can sound like a lot of work. But it’s actually very simple if you know the proper steps and pitfalls to avoid. While there are a lot of similarities between cleaning dentures and cleaning your natural teeth, there are some differences. Read our tips for taking care of dentures and keeping yours like brand new – including common mistakes to avoid!

Clean Your Dentures Daily

While dentures aren’t your real teeth, they’re just as susceptible to bacteria and stains. When plaque builds on your dentures, it will affect the tissue underneath. Defend your gums and dentures by treating them just as you would your normal teeth – brush them every day.

You have options for special denture cleaning brushes that will be soft-bristled instead of the typical hard-bristled brushes. Use a mildly abrasive toothpaste and brush them long enough to get them completely clean.

Protect Them from Accidents

When you’re cleaning or handling your dentures for any reason, make sure to keep them safe. Place a folded towel or fill the sink with water first. That way, if you accidentally drop them, they won’t be damaged. You don’t want to schedule an unexpected trip to your dentist from an accident, so do everything you can to protect them!

Don’t Skip Regular Dentists Visits

When you first get your dentures, your dentist will recommend how frequently you will need to schedule check-ups. Don’t ignore their advice! It’s crucial for your health to stay up-to-date with your dental care visits. Your dentist can help keep your dentures in great shape – and ensure you aren’t experiencing any pain or discomfort.

Take Them Out & Soak Them Overnight

You don’t want to wear your dentures all the time. When you’re not wearing them, keep them in water or a denture cleansing solution. This gives them the moisture they need to keep their shape properly. For dentures that have metal attachments, stick to water. Denture cleanser can tarnish the metal.

If you use a denture-soaking solution that isn’t water, rinse your dentures before you put them back in. Sometimes the chemicals in these solutions can be harmful of swallowed or left to sit in your mouth.

Avoid These Common Denture Dangers

There are a few common mistakes that many new denture owners make. Avoiding them is easy, if you know what they are. Remember these key guidelines:

Don’t Clean Your Dentures with Abrasive Products

Many brands of toothpastes or other cleansers are designed to be very abrasive. While this may be okay for natural teeth, they will damage your dentures. Whitening toothpastes are designed to be particularly abrasive, so don’t use them with your dentures. If you’re not certain what type of cleaner will be best, just ask your dentist!

Beware of Stiff-bristled Brushes

Your toothpaste and denture cleaning solution aren’t the only abrasive products to avoid. Stiff-bristles, which are used in many normal toothbrushes, aren’t safe dentures or dental implants. Find specially-designed denture brushes to avoid damaging the denture surface.

Avoid Storing Dentures in Hot Water

While it is important to keep your dentures in water or cleanser, you don’t want to use hot water. The heat will warp your dentures, requiring a visit to your dentist to assess the damage. Make sure to ask your dentist for tips on how to properly keep your dentures moist overnight. It’s not the same for every set!

Fixing Damaged or Poorly-fitting Dentures

For new denture owners, it’s not uncommon to need small adjustments after you first start wearing them. Likewise, you may eventually run into an issue where you damage your dentures – whether through dropping them or another accident. In either case, it’s important that you immediately contact your dentist to have them repair or adjust them properly.

There are several over-the-counter “DIY kits” or “denture repair kits,” but you should never use them. Dentures are made by experienced technicians, who take exceptional care in their laboratory to craft them. It requires a great deal of expertise to properly balance and fit dentures to make sure they fit comfortably and don’t cause damage to your gums. While you may feel like they can save you money or time, they’re likely to cause further damage to your dentures and put them or your health at risk.

Don’t Forget to Brush Your Gums

Your dentures aren’t the only thing that need cleaning. Brushing your gums should continue to be part of your daily routine. Speak with your dentist if you experience any mouth sores or other pain when brushing. They may have solutions or suggestions to help prevent painful brushing.

Do You Have Questions About Taking Care of Dentures? We Can Help!

The dental professionals at Schmakel Smile Design can answer your questions and guide you towards a brighter smile! Make an appointment or call us at (419) 841-9494. You can also find more information about root canals on our website!