How to Care for Your Dentures and Extend Their Lifespan
Dentures are an essential dental solution for many people, providing a functional and aesthetic replacement for missing teeth. Whether full or partial, dentures play a crucial role in improving chewing, speaking, and enhancing your smile. However, to get the most out of your dentures, it’s important to take proper care of them. Proper maintenance can extend their lifespan, prevent unnecessary damage, and keep them comfortable for long-term use.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through essential steps to properly care for your dentures, ensuring they continue to serve you well for many years to come.
1. Clean Your Dentures Daily
Just like natural teeth, dentures need regular cleaning to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can accumulate. This is essential for both oral hygiene and maintaining the appearance of your dentures.
Use a Soft Brush and Non-Abrasive Cleaner: Avoid using regular toothpaste as it can be abrasive and damage the surface of your dentures. Instead, use a specially designed denture cleaner or a mild dish soap. Be sure to use a soft brush to clean your dentures, as hard brushes can cause scratches.
Brush Carefully: Gently brush all surfaces of your dentures, including the gums, palate, and teeth. Pay special attention to areas where food can get trapped, such as the crevices and along the gum line.
Rinse After Meals: After eating, rinse your dentures with warm water to remove food particles. This helps maintain their cleanliness between thorough cleanings.
2. Soak Dentures Overnight
Dentures need to be kept moist to prevent them from drying out and losing their shape. Soaking them overnight in a denture cleaning solution or plain water can help preserve their fit and prevent them from warping.
Denture Cleaner: There are a variety of denture-cleaning solutions available. Choose a reputable product that’s designed to sanitize dentures without damaging them. Soaking your dentures in a cleaning solution can help remove bacteria and stains.
Avoid Hot Water: Never soak your dentures in hot water, as it can cause them to lose their shape. Always use cool or lukewarm water for soaking.
3. Handle Your Dentures with Care
Dentures are durable, but they’re not indestructible. It’s important to handle them carefully to avoid accidents and damage.
Remove and Insert Gently: When removing or inserting your dentures, do so gently and with both hands to avoid bending or cracking them. Always hold them by the edges, not the teeth.
Place a Towel or Washcloth in the Sink: When cleaning your dentures or taking them in and out, place a soft towel or washcloth in the sink. This provides a soft landing if you drop them and helps prevent them from breaking.
Avoid Biting Down Hard on Dentures: Be mindful of the foods you eat and avoid biting down hard on your dentures. Crunchy or hard foods can cause damage, including cracks and fractures.
4. Regularly Visit Your Dentist for Check-ups
Even though dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, changes in your oral health and bone structure over time may affect how well they fit. Regular dental check-ups are essential for ensuring that your dentures continue to fit comfortably and function properly.
Adjustments: Over time, your gums may shrink or change shape, causing dentures to become loose. Your dentist can adjust your dentures to fit better and prevent discomfort or slippage. If you notice that your dentures no longer fit properly or feel uncomfortable, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a reline or adjustment.
Oral Health Checks: Regular check-ups also allow your dentist to assess your oral health, including the health of your gums and the soft tissues in your mouth. Even if you wear dentures, gum health is essential to your overall well-being.
5. Be Mindful of What You Eat and Drink
What you eat and drink plays a big role in the longevity and cleanliness of your dentures. While dentures allow you to enjoy a wide variety of foods, it’s important to be mindful of the impact that certain items can have on your dentures.
Avoid Staining Foods: Just like natural teeth, dentures can become stained by certain foods and drinks. Try to limit your intake of coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco products, as these can discolor your dentures over time. If you do consume these items, rinse your dentures and mouth immediately afterward to minimize staining.
Watch Out for Hard or Sticky Foods: Hard and sticky foods can damage your dentures or cause them to become dislodged. Avoid foods such as nuts, caramel, and hard candy, which could cause cracks or breakage. Opt for softer foods to ensure your dentures stay intact.
6. Ensure Proper Fit
A good fit is essential to prevent irritation, discomfort, and damage to your dentures. Ill-fitting dentures can cause sores, difficulty speaking, or trouble chewing, which can impact your quality of life.
Relining or Rebasing: Over time, your dentures may need to be relined or rebased due to changes in your gums and jawbone. A reline is a process where a new layer of material is applied to the base of the dentures to improve their fit while rebasing involves creating a completely new base. If your dentures are no longer fitting comfortably, visit your dentist for a reline or rebase.
Avoid DIY Adjustments: While it may be tempting to attempt fixing your dentures at home, it’s important to avoid trying to adjust them yourself. Using adhesives or performing repairs without professional guidance can lead to further damage or discomfort. Always seek professional help if your dentures aren’t fitting properly.
7. Keep Your Mouth Healthy
While caring for your dentures is important, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for overall oral health. Even if you wear dentures, you still need to care for your mouth, gums, and any remaining teeth.
Brush Your Gums and Tongue: Even without natural teeth, it’s important to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth every day. This helps remove bacteria and stimulates blood flow to the soft tissues, promoting a healthy mouth.
Rinse Your Mouth After Removing Dentures: Rinse your mouth with water or an antibacterial mouthwash after removing your dentures to eliminate bacteria and maintain a clean oral environment.
8. Use Denture Adhesives Wisely
While dentures are designed to fit snugly, some people may experience occasional slipping or discomfort. In such cases, denture adhesives can be used as a temporary solution to improve the fit.
Choose a Trusted Adhesive: If you use denture adhesives, choose a high-quality product that is safe for daily use. Avoid using adhesives excessively, as this can cause build-up and affect the fit of your dentures.
Don’t Over-rely on Adhesives: Remember that adhesives should only be a short-term solution for loose dentures. If your dentures are regularly slipping or causing discomfort, consult your dentist for adjustments or relining.
Conclusion
Proper care of your dentures is crucial for their longevity, comfort, and effectiveness. By following these simple but essential tips for cleaning, handling, and maintaining your dentures, you can ensure they continue to provide the confidence and functionality you need for many years.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your dentures, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist for advice and assistance. With the right care, your dentures will serve you well, keeping your smile bright and your mouth healthy for the long term.