Careful Upkeep: 3 Tips for Maintaining Your Dentures

Dentures remain a popular solution for rebuilding smiles after tooth loss because of their versatility. Regardless of how many teeth have gone missing, your dentist can provide a lifelike restoration to rebuild your grin’s appearance and functionality.

However, you must care for your dentures correctly to continue making the most of their many benefits. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful tips for keeping them looking and feeling fantastic!

Tip #1: Clean Them Consistently

Dentures typically contain an acrylic, gum-colored base and pontics (artificial teeth) made from resilient porcelain or resin that don’t develop decay, so you don’t need to worry they’ll get cavities. However, bacteria, leftover food, and other debris in your mouth can form plaque on the surfaces, trapping it against your connective tissues all day long, which increases your vulnerability to gum disease.

To avoid developing a periodontal problem, you should remove your restoration both morning and night to wash them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear hand or dish soap that won’t abrade the materials. You can also run them under water after meals, but be sure to use cool or room-temperature water because it might warp the base if it’s too hot.

Tip #2: Handle Them Carefully

You might not think that broken dentures are dangerous, but if they’re damaged, they can harm your dental health. They can trap additional germs, cause sores on your gums, or lacerate the tender tissues in your mouth on sharp edges.

Unfortunately, your restoration can become slippery during cleanings and might slip out of your fingertips and drop to the floor. The base or pontics can be injured if they fall from a great enough height or with enough force. As a result, many patients place a towel, pillow, or other soft cushion beneath them when brushing their dentures. You should also keep them out of the reach of children or pets who might not treat them with caution or respect.

Tip #3: Soak Them At Night

You might think it’s easier and more efficient to sleep with your dentures in, but it’s not usually recommended. They rely on a firm suction against your gums to remain in place, which reduces circulation in your connective tissues. You’re more likely to develop canker sores or gum disease.

To give your mouth a much-needed break, you can leave your dentures in a glass of room-temperature water or a special soaking solution at night. This eradicates germs to prevent potential problems while keeping them moist enough to maintain their shape and prevent cracks from developing.

Your dentist might provide additional care instructions that you should follow in detail to preserve your recently restored smile!

Meet the Author

Dr. Patrick Crowley enjoys helping families in Edmond improve their daily quality of life by enhancing their dental health. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and has completed additional in-depth training in various topics, including dental implants, cosmetics, and other complex services. Today, he provides a comprehensive list of treatments to people of all ages, including dentures. He combines a caring approach with advanced technology to provide comfortable, accurate restorations that look as lifelike as possible. If you need to replace missing teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (405) 751-5515.