For some people, maintaining a beautiful smile may only be possible with the help of dentures. Made to replace natural teeth, these oral prosthetic devices not only keep your smile perfect but also ensure optimal use of your choppers.
Since they function the same way as real teeth, they also need regular and proper care to prevent staining and bacteria. Correct cleaning and maintenance of these devices also contribute to keeping your mouth healthy.
In this article, you will learn all the important cleaning and care tips to help keep your dentures in their best condition.
How to Properly Clean Your Dentures
While they may not be your natural teeth, dentures still require regular cleaning. This will help prevent staining and buildup of tartar and bacteria.
Keep in mind that dirty dentures with plaque buildup can cause a variety of issues related to your oral health. This may range from irritation to inflammation and irritation.
Aside from getting professional teeth cleaning for your real teeth, regular and proper cleaning of your dentures also helps keep your mouth healthy.
To get you started, here are seven things you should remember when cleaning your dentures:
Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools and chemicals
When cleaning your dentures, there are a variety of tools, chemicals, and cleaning agents you must avoid.
Brushes with stiff bristles as well as harsh cleaners are considered too abrasive for denture cleaning and may cause damage to your prosthetic device.
The same goes for bleach as it can weaken the dentures’ structure and potential change its original hue. Solutions that contain this chemical also tend to tarnish the metal components in certain types of dentures, particularly those with metal attachments.
Also, you must never soak your dentures in hot water, even for a short period. This is because the high temperature of the liquid may cause parts of the prosthetic device to warp, leading to a misfit that often causes gum sores and pain.
Brush dentures daily
Dentures should be brushed daily to remove plaque, food debris, and other deposits. When doing so, always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle cleaners.
If you use denture adhesive, you must make sure that you brush the grooves that fit the dentures to your gums to remove any remnants of the product. Also, never clean dentures with cleaners while it is still inside your mouth.
Soak dentures overnight
Many types of dentures require constant moisture, so be sure to soak them overnight. To do so, place the prosthetic device in lukewarm water. You may also use a gentle denture-soaking solution for this.
If in doubt, consult your dentist how you can store your dentures overnight. Following manufacturer recommendations on soaking and cleaning dentures is also strongly recommended.
Be careful when cleaning your dentures
When cleaning your dentures, be sure to be extra careful. Take extra precautions when handling them by placing a towel on a sink or filling it up with water. This will ensure you’re your dentures don’t break should you accidentally drop them.
Clean your mouth after removing your dentures
Maintaining your dentures doesn’t stop after you make clean the prosthetic device – you also have to rinse and clean your mouth after removing it. Not cleaning the remainder of your natural teeth and other parts of your mouth may cause food and other deposits left from eating to get transferred to your dentures.
Use a soft-bristled brush on your existing natural teeth. You may also opt to use a clean gauze on the inside of your cheeks, palate, tongue, and gums to remove any remaining denture adhesive.
Rinse dentures well, especially when using soaking solution
Before putting your dentures back into your mouth, be sure to rinse them thoroughly. This is crucial when you use a soaking solution for storing your dentures when not in use.
Doing this regularly will help prevent you from swallowing the chemical, which may cause pain, burns, and vomiting.
Clean dentures after eating
Rinsing dentures after eating is necessary to make sure that food debris doesn’t stick to it. After removing, wash it under running water with a towel placed over the counter. You may also fill up the sink with water to prevent damage should your dentures accidentally fall.
More Tips in Maintaining Your Dentures
Aside from proper cleaning, your dentures also require extra care and love to last long. Here are some more tips you should remember to keep your dentures in good shape:
Take your dentures out
To help them last longer, you must remember to give your dentures a break. Take them out before you go to bed. If removing your dentures at night isn’t possible, set aside six to eight hours during the day.
This will let tissues in your mouth to recover from always wearing them throughout the day.
Store dentures properly
Prevent your dentures from drying out by soaking them in room temperature water or a solution recommended by your dentist, so they don’t warp. However, don’t wash or soak them with hot water as it can cause the prosthetic device to be deformed.
For dentures with metal clasps, it is advisable to use warm water when soaking. If they are free of metal components, you can use a solution made from equal parts water and vinegar or a denture cleaner recommended by your dentist.
Also, remember not to wrap your dentures in tissue or paper towel as they can easily be mistaken as trash and thrown away. You should also keep your dentures out of your pet or children’s reach.
Visit your dentist regularly
Visiting your dentist at least once a year will help you keep your mouth healthy as it ensures that the tissues are free from sores. This also gives you a chance to ask for advice in denture cleaning and oral care from an expert.
Monitor changes in denture fit
Another good reason why you should visit your dentist regularly is to monitor any changes in the fit of your dentures. If they don’t feel right, chances are that parts of your oral cavity have changed over time.
Poorly fitting dentures often lead to pain, sores, and burning as well as abdominal gas from the air you swallowed. Dentures that no longer fit properly may also be a sign of periodontal disease.
Keep in mind that, even the optimal care and maintenance, naturally occurring adjustments in your mouth may require the refitting of your dentures. It is recommended that you have a new set of dentures made every five to ten years.
To a Gap-Free Smile
Dentures help you get a gap-free smile, so be sure to take care of them as well as you would your natural teeth. Use this article as a guide for maintaining your oral dentures and keep them in their best condition, as much as possible.
