Daily Denture Duties: Excellent Care Tips for New Denture Wearers

If you just received your first pair of dentures, congratulations! You’ve now embarked on a new journey to master new skills and knowledge that will increase your quality of life. Dentures are a great replacement for missing teeth, but they’re a little different than your natural teeth to maintain.

If you want to learn all the best ways to keep your dentures bright and fresh, continue reading.

1. Clean Your Dentures Daily

Just like you had to brush your normal teeth, your dentures will also need some love every day. However, unlike teeth, your prosthetics are sensitive to what you use to achieve this. Make sure you use denture-approved toothpaste that is free from abrasives and a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Also be sure to clean every surface, not just the teeth. Only rinse with cold water to avoid warping the acrylic. Do this twice a day and you shouldn’t have problems with built-up plaque and bacteria.

2. Soak Your Prosthetics Over Night

Once you’ve cleaned and rinsed your dentures for the night, you’ll need to keep them moist. To this end, be sure to soak them overnight in a cool glass of water, or denture cleanser. This will ensure they stay fresh and fit over your gums comfortably with the right amount of suction.

3. Take Your Dentures Out Before Sleeping

You may be tempted to simply brush your dentures like normal teeth and then go to bed in them, but don’t! While you sleep, any bacteria that accumulated under your prosthetics are now trapped against your gums. Even doing this once or twice could cause an infection that leads to gingivitis.

4. Handle Them with Care

Your dentures are sturdy enough to handle food and daily wear for a few years, but they won’t survive a fall. Whenever you’re manipulating your prosthetics, either to clean them or put them in, be sure to do so over a towel across the sink. If your dentures do break, don’t use them. Contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment to have them replaced.

Following these simple tips will help you keep your new smile replacement bright and fresh. Dentures can significantly enhance your quality of life, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

About the Author

Dr. Ryan Johnson believes in the power of a great smile to bring about a good quality of life. He’s served his patients well over the years with the latest dental technology and a firm grasp on the science and artistry of dentistry. Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and has been putting it to good use ever since; always learning and improving. Call (904) 895-4536 to schedule a denture consultation at Jacksonville Dental Excellence or visit the website to learn more.