How to take care of my denture?

Are you wearing a denture? If so, do you clean it properly?

food particles can stick to denture surface, they are sticky and along with plaque form a layer on teeth and dentures alike. Maintaining denture hygiene is important to maintain the health of the oral cavity. Unclean dentures may lead to inflammation, pain and fungal infections like candidiasis and bad breath.

Here are some tips that you can follow if you are a denture wearer.

1. Wash dentures under water after every meal. Washing dentures after every meal under running water prevent food particles to stick to their surface. This must be followed with a thorough rinsing of the mouth.

2. Daily brushing of denture. Dentures should be cleaned with a soft tooth brush and soap solution every day. This ensures no deposits of food or plaque are accumulated on the denture. Do not use abrasive soaps or tooth brushes to clean your dentures, the abrasive particles can damage the denture. Also, never put dentures under hot water, hot water affects the material of the denture and cause shrinking or bent out of shape.

3. Daily brushing of the gums. Brushing of gums not only removes all the deposits that may be accumulated around the gums but also massages the gums and the bone underneath maintaining oral health.

4. Soak dentures overnight.

Dentures should be kept soaked in room temperature water when not in use and overnight. remember you aren't supposed to sleep with your dentures in. Keeping them in a small box where they can be soaked completely in water is recommended. Denture boxes are also available for the same. Dentures if kept outside tend to shrink and may cause fit issues.

5. Do not bend your dentures.

Dentures must be handled carefully, If fallen from a height or mishandled they can break easily.

6. Schedule regular dental checkups.

Yearly dental checkups are important. It allows the dentist to professionally check the fit and condition of the dentures and also the gums. It is advised to get new dentures made every 5 years. If you think your dentures are not fitting properly, you must visit yoyur dentist at the earliest.

We hope this guide helps you maintaining your dentures!