Dentures transform your smile and allow you to enjoy food and speaking clearly again. But like your natural teeth, they require daily care. They may not be vulnerable to decay, but they still collect bacteria capable of causing inflammation and other problems in your mouth.
The Litchfield Dental Care team has helped many patients obtain dentures that fit well, feel comfortable, and look great. They offer ongoing support for problems that may arise and use the following guidelines to teach patients how to care for their new dentures.
Avoid hot water
The first thing to know about caring for dentures is that you should always keep them out of hot water. Hot water will warp the plastic, affecting how the dentures fit.
Handle with care
Accidentally dropping your dentures may crack the enamel, while using too much force or pressure when brushing can bend the plastic parts. Consider using a towel on the surface where you are handling your dentures to soften the fall and prevent breakage if you drop them.
Rinse after eating
Whenever possible, take your dentures out and rinse them in warm water after eating. You should also rinse your mouth at the same time. This removes food particles, preventing them from getting (painfully) trapped between your gums and dentures.
Clean and brush daily (your dentures and mouth)
Food, bacteria, and plaque accumulate on dentures like on natural teeth. Though dentures aren’t vulnerable to decay, bacteria remaining on them can cause bad breath, gum inflammation, and other problems in your mouth.
Cleaning your dentures at least once daily is essential. Though you can remove and clean your dentures more than one time each day, most people take care of them at night.
Gently clean all of the surfaces using a denture cleaner or paste and a soft-bristle brush. You could use nonwhitening toothpaste in a pinch, but don’t use it regularly because it contains ingredients that can scratch your dentures. By comparison, denture products are nonabrasive.
In addition to brushing the teeth of your dentures, carefully clean the plastic part that fits over your gums, being sure to remove any denture fixative (if you use it).
After taking your dentures out, it’s also important to use a washcloth or soft toothbrush to clean your mouth, paying attention to your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and your gums. If you have partial dentures, you’ll also need to brush and floss your remaining teeth.
Overnight care
Unless we give you different instructions, you should remove your dentures while sleeping. It’s essential to soak dentures overnight so they stay moist while out of your mouth. If they dry out, the plastic becomes brittle, and they lose their shape or could crack.
You can soak your dentures in water or use a soaking solution. If you use a soaking solution, thoroughly rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth.
Schedule a denture evaluation
Caring for your dentures includes being aware of red flags signaling that they need to be refitted, repaired, or replaced. Don’t wait to schedule an appointment to have your dentures evaluated if you experience any of the following:
- Gum irritation, inflammation, or sores
- Dentures that are too loose or uncomfortable to wear
- Dentures that no longer fit your gums
- Broken or cracked dentures
Your gums may change shape over time, affecting how your dentures fit.
Call Litchfield Dental Care today or book an appointment online if you need dentures to replace missing teeth or want help with dentures that are uncomfortable or don’t fit properly.