Caring For Your Dentures

Your dentures will not last forever. The denture teeth and base will wear and stain over time. The time will vary and depend on many factors as individual tolerances, habits and the length of time you have had dentures. The average life of a denture is about five to seven years. So caring for your dentures is important, both for the health of your mouth and to get the greatest lifespan from your dentures.

• Always handle your dentures with care. Try to avoid accidently dropping them. When removing your dentures, stand over a folded towel or a sink of water, to reduce the risk of damage if accidentally dropped.
• Your dentures should be brushed and cleaned daily. Brushing helps prevent the development of permanent stains on the dentures. Use a brush with soft bristles that is specifically designed for cleaning dentures. Gently brush all surfaces of the denture and be careful not to damage the plastic or bend attachments. In between brushings, rinse dentures after every meal with warm water. Dentures should never be placed in hot water, which can cause them to warp.
• Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid can be used for cleaning dentures. Avoid household cleansers and toothpastes, both of which are too abrasive for dentures. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture.
• Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to care for dentures. These cleaners are small bathtub-like devices that contain a cleaning solution. The denture is immersed in the tub and then sound waves create a wave motion that dislodges the undesirable deposits. Use of an ultrasonic cleaner, however, does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
• Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape. When not worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water. However, if the denture has metal attachments, the attachments could tarnish if placed in a soaking solution.

Contact your local Totally Smiles practice and our dentists can recommend the best methods for caring for your particular denture, or book an appointment online now.