How Do I Care For My Dentures?

Dentures are an investment—so you'll likely want to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Our Ajax dentists are here to tell you how to do that.

What Should I Avoid?

If you want to keep your denture in good condition for a long time, it's a good idea to stay away from the following:

• Abrasive cleaning materials - Avoid hard-bristled brushes, strong cleansers, and harsh toothpaste, as these are too abrasive and may end up damaging your dentures.
• Whitening toothpaste - Toothpaste advertised as whitening paste often contains peroxide, which doesn't effectively change the colour of dentures.
• Bleach-containing products - Don't use any bleaching products because these can weaken dentures and change their colour. Don't soak dentures with metal attachments in solutions that contain chlorine because it can tarnish and even corrode metal.
• Hot water - Avoid hot or boiling water because it could warp your dentures.

How To Care For Your Dentures

Even though dentures are not natural teeth, it doesn’t mean they don’t require the same amount of care. Proper denture care is crucial to maintaining the life of the appliance and sustaining oral health.

Oftentimes, if dentures aren’t cared for properly, plaque builds up and can create some serious oral health concerns. When left alone, the plaque can cause additional tooth loss, bad breath, and even gum disease.

Remove and rinse dentures after eating

After you eat you should rinse your dentures to remove any food particles. You may want to put a towel on the counter or in the sink or put some water in the sink so the dentures won't break if happen to fall.

Handle your dentures carefully

Be sure you don't bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning.

Clean your mouth after removing your dentures

Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush on natural teeth and gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean your tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth. If used, remove any remaining denture adhesive from your gums.

Brush your dentures at least daily

Remove and gently clean your dentures daily. Soak and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque, and other debris. If you use denture adhesive, clean the grooves that fit against your gums to remove any remaining adhesive. Make sure you never use denture cleaner in your mouth.

Soak dentures overnight

Most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Check with your dentist about properly storing your dentures overnight. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on all cleaning and soaking solutions.

Rinse dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth

Denture cleaning solutions can contain harmful chemicals that can cause pain or vomiting if swallowed. 

Schedule regular dental checkups

Your dentist will recommend how often to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned. Your dentist can help you have a proper fit to prevent slippage and discomfort, and also check the inside of your mouth to make sure it's healthy.

See your dentist if you have a loose fit 

See your dentist promptly if your dentures become loose. Loose dentures may cause irritation, sores, and infection.

If you would like to learn more about proper denture care, contact our dentists at Dentistry in Ajax to set up an appointment.