The Dos and Don'ts of Caring For Your Dentures
If you have dentures, it is important that you take good care of them. If you use the wrong cleaning product or place them in the wrong spot, you could do some serious damage to them. Here are some tips for caring for them, and things to avoid doing.
Do: Have the dentures inspected by a dentist
It is a common misconception that once you have a complete set of dentures, you no longer have to visit the dentist. Your dentist will not only need to examine your mouth and address any concerns with your gums, tongue, or other parts of your mouth, but they will also inspect your dentures. This is important to see that they are in still in good condition, no plaque is building up on them, and that they are still fitting you properly. You may occasionally need minor adjustments if they are not fitting snugly over your gums.
Don't: Use toothbrush to clean the dentures
When cleaning the dentures, you need to be careful with what you use to clean them. You should not be using regular toothpaste on them, as it is abrasive in order to clean teeth. However, this could be too harsh on your dentures and do permanent damage. If you get small scratches due to the abrasions, plaque and bacteria can get caught in these scratches. You will still use a soft-bristled toothbrush, but use a denture cleaning solution or simple water when cleaning them.
Do: Remove the dentures before bed
You will need to remove your dentures when cleaning them during the day, but also make sure they are taken out at night. This is important for multiple reasons. Fist of all, it gives you a chance to clean the dentures and place them in a denture soak, which is important to keep them clean. It also prevents you from accidentally causing damage to them if they fall out during sleep. You also want your gum tissue to rest and breathe, which is done at night when you aren't wearing the dentures.
Don't: Rinse or soak the dentures in hot water
When you are soaking the dentures, make sure you only use an approved denture soaking solution. If you are soaking or rinsing them in water, choose lukewarm water. Cold water is fine, but it won't do anything for the bacteria. You are better off with warm water. However, avoid hot water, as it could warp the artificial teeth or soft tissue part of the dentures. Make sure if you are removing the dentures, they are only placed in the case with the soak. They need to be kept moist for long-lasting benefits.
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