How To Care For Your Dentures as Replacement Teeth
Looking after your replacement teeth is just as important as looking after your natural ones. Whether you have tooth implants or partial dentures, here are some tips on how to maintain good oral health. Proper dental care is important for both the health of your mouth and natural teeth, as well as the longevity of your full/partial denture or denture implants. Failing to follow the correct dental care while wearing dentures can lead to many problems including:
- Further tooth loss
- Plaque buildup and gum disease
- Costly denture repairs
- Serious health concerns including higher risk of stroke and lung disease
How to Look After Your Traditional Complete/Partial Dentures
Just like natural teeth, it’s very important to brush your dentures to keep your breath fresh, avoid the spread of bacteria and keep your gums healthy. You must remember to:
- Rinse your complete/partial dentures after every meal
- Use a soft denture brush and water to brush all surfaces of your replacement teeth TWICE A DAY. This removes any food particles and plaque and prevents your dentures from staining.
- AVOID conventional toothpaste on your dentures. Talk to your denturist about a denture cleaner.
Complete/Partial Denture Care
Dentures are a significant investment in your oral health. To protect them, it’s important that you handle your replacement teeth with the utmost care. Follow these tips to ensure the good condition and longevity of your dentures:
Whenever you are removing or cleaning your dentures, do so over a sink and cover it with a folded towel or fill it with water. This will prevent any damage to your replacement teeth in case of an accidental fall.
When you’re aren’t using your full/partial dentures, soak them in cool water or denture cleaning solution to keep them from drying out.
** DO NOT use hot water as this can warp your dentures **
- Think of Them as Real Teeth
Just as you would brush your natural teeth twice a day, make sure to brush your dentures twice a day as well. Use a soft bristle brush & cool water.
It’s important to give your mouth a break from the dentures. Every night, soak them as this will keep them moist and allow your gum tissue to rest.
- Visit Your Denturist Regularly
Regular checkups are necessary for denture-wearers. This will give your dentist a chance to check that your dentures are fitting correctly and provide a thorough cleaning.
