Denture care is an important part of life for many people. Cleaning, inserting and removing dentures may happen several times a day for those utilizing dentures and taking proper care of them.
Denture Care
Upper Denture
Dentures should be cleaned every day and, preferably, after each meal. We don’t have to worry about the dentures getting tooth decay, but we do need to worry about food becoming trapped under them causing infection and breakdown of the gums. Dentures may also rub on the gums causing open sores and pain.
A few important tips for denture care
– Clean dentures every day with a toothbrush or a denture brush. Avoid brushing too hard as this can cause damage to the dentures. Some toothpaste or hard bristled toothbrushes may also damage dentures. As a rule, clean your dentures whenever you would brush your teeth.
– Don’t forget the importance of oral care even when dentures are used. The tongue, gums and any natural teeth still need to be cleaned. You don’t want to put clean dentures into a dirty mouth.
– Immediately report if dentures are ill fitting or causing any damage to the mouth.
– Inspect areas of the mouth for any rubbing or lesions prior to putting in dentures.
– Line the sink with a washcloth and/or fill the bottom of the sink with water when cleaning dentures. This will help protect the dentures if they call into the sink.
– Keep dentures moist when they aren’t being used. They can be put in a denture cup or even a sealable Tupperware container. It is important they are stored in a container with a lid to keep them safe.
– The upper denture can be removed by pressing up and pulling out or reaching along the gum line to the back corner of the denture and pulling down. The lower denture can be removed by rocking it and slowly pulling up on it. If you are having trouble removing the top denture, remove the bottom denture first.
– Remove (and soak) dentures at night to allow the gums to rest. Hot water may warp dentures so soak them in warm or cool water. Be sure to brush them before soaking them.
– The metal on partial plates may tarnish if soaked in the wrong solutions so always read the label before soaking a partial.
Dentures may last years if cared for properly. By taking good care of the mouth, as well as the denture, you can play a significant role in the lifespan of the dentures while promoting oral health.
Our denture care series is sentimental to us. Our late grandfather is in the videos and was making us laugh as we were filming. We sure do miss him! In his honor, please enjoy our denture insertion skills video.