Roughly 42 million Americans wear dentures to replace one, several, or all of their teeth. Made of durable, lightweight, natural-looking materials, today’s dentures are more comfortable than ever, restoring normal eating, speech, and facial contours while boosting self-confidence.
Hannah Baek, DDS, and the team at Healthy Smile Dental help patients get the most from their dentures with regular checkups and at-home routines focused on proper maintenance. In this post, learn five simple tips to help care for dentures.
They may not be natural teeth, but dentures still need regular brushing. Twice-daily brushing removes plaque buildup and biofilm that can lead to bad breath and infected gums.
To get your dentures clean and fresh, use a soft-bristled brush with toothpaste designed for dentures. Get in all the crevices and brush the entire denture, including the part that rests on your gums or palate. You can also use mild dish soap, but rinse thoroughly afterward.
Use both hands when cleaning dentures, and consider brushing them over a towel to prevent slippage and potential damage. Be sure to brush your gums, palate, tongue, and natural teeth at the same time.
Dentures are durable but not indestructible. When you’re not wearing your dentures, keep them in their case for safekeeping. Never store dentures in a pocket, purse, or loose in a drawer, and don’t wrap them in a napkin (to prevent accidentally throwing them out).
Clean your denture case every day and fill it with cool water or a denture-soaking solution when storing your dentures. If you use water in your case, you can add a little mouthwash to kill bacteria and add some freshness.
Dentures can trap food particles, making them uncomfortable and leading to bad breath. After meals, remove and rinse your dentures, then rinse your mouth before placing your dentures back in your mouth.
Rinsing dentures after meals can help remove food residue that may otherwise lead to stains. Consider keeping a few denture wipes with you to freshen your dentures on the go.
Dentures are made of resins designed to rest comfortably on your gums and palate. While strong, these resins can warp when exposed to heat.
To prevent warping, don’t place your denture case in direct sunlight or near a heat source, don’t use hot water when cleaning or storing your dentures, and be cautious when consuming hot drinks or soups. Never place your dentures in the microwave to sterilize them.
Whether you wear full or partial dentures, you need regular dental checkups. Checkups allow Dr. Baek to see how your dentures fit, adjusting them to remain functional and comfortable.
Plus, your gums, remaining teeth, and other oral structures still must be evaluated regularly. During your visit, we check for sore spots, perform oral cancer screenings, and thoroughly clean remaining teeth for optimal oral health.
If you’d like to learn more about dentures, your dentures need an adjustment, or it’s time to schedule a regular checkup, book an appointment online or over the phone today with Dr. Baek and the team at Healthy Smile Dental in Woodridge, Illinois.
