How to Take Care of Your Dentures

Full or partial dentures are removable dental appliances that can restore a patient’s ability to speak and chew correctly, as well as restore their confidence and smile. As we would take care of our natural teeth, dentures also need to be looked after for maximum longevity. If you take care of your dentures, you should be able to use them for at least 5 or 7 years before they need replacing.

6 Ways You Should Be Looking After Your Dentures

1. You should remove and rinse your dentures after eating. Make sure you rinse off any food debris and other loose particles.
   

   How to Remove Your Dentures

   Swish warm water or a mouthwash around your mouth.
   To ensure a safe working space, place a towel on the counter or put some water in the sink before you start cleaning your dentures to cushion the fall if your dentures slip out of your hands.
   To remove your top denture, place your thumb against your front teeth and press upward and outward toward your nose.
   To remove your lower denture, slowly pull on it while applying a rocking motion.

2. Dentures should be cleaned every day, just like natural teeth. Handle your dentures carefully. Be sure you don’t bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning.
   

   How to Clean Your Dentures

   Clean your dentures over a sink filled with water to avoid damage if you drop them.
   Rinse dentures thoroughly in warm water to remove any loose food debris.
   Use a denture cleanser.
   Moisten a denture brush to clean gently all surfaces of your denture.
   Rinse and brush the dentures again with clean, warm water.

3. Clean your mouth after removing and cleaning your dentures. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth, tongue, cheeks and palate. If you use denture adhesive, this should be removed for the cleaning and reapplied once the mouth and dentures are clean.
4. Dentures need to be left in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight, as most dentures need to stay moist to retain their shape.
5. In the morning, you must rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth, especially if they have been in a denture-soaking solution.
6. See your dentist every six months to check the condition and fit of your dentures and to look for any signs of irritation or gum disease so they can be treated immediately.