5 Helpful Tips for Caring for Your Dentures

Dentures are one of the most popular means around for replacing missing teeth, and millions of patients have turned towards these prosthetics for restoring their compromised smiles! However, dentures are only able to do their job if they’re kept clean and properly cared for—and that care falls on you, the patient! Here are a few useful tips from your dentist in Whitinsville for keeping your dentures pristine and intact so that they can provide you with a beautiful, functional smile for years to come.

1. Remove & Rinse Your Dentures After Eating

You should remove your dentures and rinse them off any time after you eat—this is vital in keeping them sanitary! You should run water over your dentures to rinse away leftover food debris and other loose particles; bacteria can still build up on your dentures and affect their integrity and cleanliness. You might also consider placing a towel on the bathroom counter or filling the sink with water, so that if you drop your dentures, they aren’t as likely to become damaged.

2. Clean Your Mouth After Removing Your Dentures

You should brush your natural teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush after removing your dentures—they don’t excuse you from practicing oral hygiene! You should also clean your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth (gauze might also be helpful for this). If you use denture adhesive to secure your dentures, be sure to remove any residual material from your gums. Keeping the rest of your mouth clean is just as important as maintaining your dentures!

3. Always Handle Your Dentures Carefully

Your dentures are an important investment and part of your smile, so whenever you’re handling them, you should be careful! Don’t bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning them and avoid dropping your dentures; they likely won’t survive a fall onto a hard surface!

4. Brush Your Dentures Daily & Soak Them Overnight

In addition to rinsing your dentures and keeping the rest of your mouth clean, you should take measures to brush and soak your dentures so that they don’t become gross or foul-tasting! Soak and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleaner to remove food particles and other deposits. If you use denture adhesive, try to clean the grooves that fit against your gums to remove any remaining adhesive. Most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their optimal shape, so it’s in your best interest to soak your dentures overnight and follow any specific manufacturer instructions concerning cleaning and soaking solutions.

5. See Your Dentist If You Have a Loose Fit

To put it simply, ill-fitting dentures are very problematic and can cause all sorts of issues for your smile while impacting your quality of life. Your dentist can ensure that your solution fits properly to prevent slippage and discomfort while also checking your mouth for underlying issues; whether you have dentures or not, visiting your dentist for preventive care can stave off all sorts of problems.

Even though dentures aren’t designed to last forever, you can still ensure they do their job for many years by following these tips!

About the Author

The team at Whitinsville Family Dentistry is honored to serve patients and families in the Whitinsville, MA area under the leadership of Dr. Jason Tubo. Dr. Tubo received his dental degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and has taken countless hours of continuing education in a wide range of fields. If you have any questions about dentures or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact Dr. Tubo through his practice’s website or over the phone for assistance: (508) 234-8107.