How to look after your dentures
Dentures are a very common solution to missing teeth, particularly for patients missing all of their teeth in one or both jaws. Whether you are new to dentures or have worn them for many years, it’s really important to understand how to care for them to increase their longevity for years to come.
Just like with natural teeth dentures are susceptible to plaque and food build up. Denture care is important to keep your gums and any remaining teeth healthy.
How do I clean my dentures?
Dentures should be cleaned daily using a soft brush and a cleaning agent such as soap and water or a special denture paste. Toothpaste is not recommended for dentures. The reason for this is that it is abrasive and can therefore cause tiny scratches on the denture which can harbour bacteria.
There are soft brushes available that have been specifically designed for dentures. Ensure you brush every area of the denture. Bacteria from food particles can get between the teeth so use the brush and rub it gently between the spaces of every tooth.
An ultrasonic denture cleaner can also be used to ensure your denture is clean. These devices have the ability to scrub the denture at microscopic levels in just 5 minutes. We recommend using one of these as a supplement to your tooth brushing.
One thing that dentists hear a lot of is how patients have broken their dentures by dropping them into the sink when cleaning them. We therefore recommend that you clean your denture over a sink full of water or a folded towel to give your denture a soft landing if it is accidentally dropped.
Denture storage cases with soft brushes, ultrasonic cleaners and denture cleaning tablets are available to purchase at the practices. Please ask the reception team for details.
Should I remove my dentures at night?
Yes, we recommend removing your denture overnight. It is important to give your gums chance to rest and receive beneficial exposure to the antibacterial agents naturally present in saliva.
When removing your denture place it in a glass of water or a denture cleansing solution. It is important not to let the denture dry out. Ensure the water isn’t too hot as this could warp the shape of your denture.
For more information, see our Caring for your new Dentures leaflet.
If you are new to dentures or considering dentures as a replacement to natural teeth, take a look at our Dentures – Patient Information Booklet.
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