How to Take Care of Your Dentures

| March 28, 2018

If you’re new to dentures—or are considering them—you probably have questions about denture care. We’re happy to guide you through the subject! Keep reading to learn how to clean, whiten, and care for your dentures.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures replace missing teeth and are typically removable. The 2 types of dentures you’re probably most familiar with are complete and partial. Complete dentures replace all missing teeth, and partial dentures are used to replace just a few missing teeth.

There’s also a third type called implant-secured dentures that are anchored into place with small titanium implants. These dentures can snap-off for easy removal or be screwed in for a more permanent placement. At Grandview Dental, we’re happy to offer all 3 options.

Why Is It Important to Care for Dentures?

By caring for your dentures, you can extend the life of your appliance while keeping your mouth and gums healthy. Furthermore, dentures have “pores” that harbor microscopic bacteria. By keeping dentures well-cared for, you can reduce the risk of bad breath, as well as certain oral diseases.

How Can I Clean My Dentures?

To clean your dentures, we suggest the following:

  • Brush and Rinse Dentures Daily. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be brushed every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should aim to do this at least once a day, using a nonabrasive denture cleaner to avoid scratching your dentures.
  • Soak Dentures Overnight. Most dentures need to stay moist or they start to lose their shape. To prevent that, you’re going to want to soak them nightly in a mild denture-soaking solution.
  • Rinse Dentures After Eating. After each meal, we recommend you remove your dentures and give them a good rinsing to clean off any food debris.

How Can I Whiten Dentures?

There are whitening tablets specifically designed to remove tough stains from dentures. Just remember when you’re choosing any type of denture whitening treatment, to look for something specifically designed for dentures. Products designed for natural teeth typically contain bleach or chlorine which can damage dentures.

What Is the Best Denture Adhesive?

There are a variety of denture adhesives that can do the trick so this really depends on the patient. Adhesive comes in powder and paste formulas. While some people may find the paste easier to use, others prefer powder because it’s easier to clean off the dentures themselves. We suggest you experiment until you find the adhesive you’re most comfortable with.

What Should I Do If I Need to Get or Replace Dentures?

If you need dentures, want to replace the dentures you have, or simply want to come in to ensure a better fit, we can help. At Grandview Dental, we guide prospective denture patients through their various options so they can make the best choice between the different denture types.

Patients who already wear dentures will love our denture repair and fitting services. We can fix a number of appliance problems, as well as help you get the perfect fit.

If you’d like to schedule your denture appointment, please call us at 614.486.7378 or fill out our online appointment request form. We’re pleased to offer evening appointments for your convenience.

 

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