How to Properly Care for Your Dentures

If you are missing some or all of your teeth, dentures can make your smile whole again. Unlike natural teeth however, dentures require consistent cleaning and care to keep your mouth healthy and the following guide will provide you with the right information regarding the proper way to care for your new teeth.

How to Brush Dentures

It is a must that you brush daily to maintain the healthy colour of your dentures. Rinsing is also crucial in this regard, as this will help eliminate plaque and food particles. The most important thing to note when brushing dentures is that you cannot use toothpaste because it is abrasive and will make small scratches on the surface of teeth. This is not an issue with natural teeth, but scratches are damaging to dentures and can harbour plaque and harmful bacteria over time. 

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush the entire surface of your dentures. Once you’re done brushing, rinse with water or mouthwash to wash away any lingering particles. It is also highly recommended that you rinse after each meal.

How to Clean Dentures

There are different brands of store bought denture cleaners you can use to soak your dentures which should be done for 15 minutes a day. If you notice your dentures are showing signs of significant tartar buildup, an overnight soak will do the trick. You can also consider ultrasonic cleaners which contain a denture cleaning solution into which your dentures can be placed. Soundwaves are then used to dislodge particles from the dentures and this is a highly effective method of cleaning dentures although this cannot replace daily brushing and rinsing. 

How to Prolong the Life of Dentures

In addition to cleaning your dentures, you must never leave your dentures on your bathroom counter because they can dry out. No matter how tempting this may be, you must place your dentures in the appropriate place as dry dentures are very problematic. They can lose their shape and once this occurs, your dentures will no longer be form-fitting in your mouth which will lead to slippage or a poorly aligned bite. In these situations, you may have to replace your dentures and this would be both expensive and time-consuming. 

Dry dentures can also lead to bacterial buildup because when they are left out in the open air, dentures will be exposed to harmful pathogens and once these are introduced to your mouth, they can lead to sickness or dental health issues. 

To prevent these problems, you need to make sure your dentures are soaking in a cleaning solution whenever they are not in your mouth as this will keep your dentures clean and hydrated and their shape will remain intact. Do not use hot water when soaking or cleaning your dentures because it will warp the plastic of your dentures and make them unstable. 

If you are interested in learning more about denture implants, Accent Denture Services can provide you with more information. We help patients in Mississauga achieve beautiful and healthy smiles, and you can contact us at any time to schedule an appointment! Call (905) 819-8484.