Once you have dentures, it is important to take care of them. In general, they need the same loving care your natural teeth do.
Here are some tips for taking care of your mouth after you start wearing dentures.
- Keep your dentures moist – If you are not wearing your dentures, it’s important outpace them in a solution made for soaking dentures. Do not use hot water for keeping the dentures moist as it can warp them.
- Brush the dentures – Just like brushing your natural teeth, brushing your dentures every day will help remove food, debris and plaque. This can help keep them from becoming stained.
- TLC for your mouth – Take care of the rest of your mouth too. You should brush everything! This includes your teeth, tongue, gums and palate. Remember to brush your mouth and teeth in the morning before putting the dentures in your mouth. This action will help stimulate and increase the circulation in the tissues of the mouth which will help remove plaque.
- Talk to your dentist – If you notice any changes in your dentures, or the way they feel, consult with your dentist. They need to know if your dentures become broken, chipped, cracked, or loose. Never try to fix them yourself! You can end up damaging them permanently and then be out the additional expense of replacing them.
Taking care of your dentures is slightly different from caring for your natural teeth. Partial dentures are easily removed and cleaned but full dentures may be secured using implants. Both partial and full dentures need to be removed and cleaned daily. Most people like to do this at night just before going to bed. To avoid dropping them and breaking them, you can stand over a sink filled with water, or a towel. Either will cushion them and provide protection if they are dropped.
