How to Look After Your Denture

Dentures deserve proper care in order to keep them as clean as possible. You may use the following steps for proper denture care.

TAKE OFF THE DENTURE AFTER YOUR MEAL FOR A THOROUGH RINSE
Remove the denture after your meal, keep it in the sink and direct the tap water in such a way that it removes the food particles lodged in between the teeth. Make sure that the denture doesn’t slip from your hands and fall into the sink. You may keep a clean sponge, or a soft towel underneath, to add a layer of safety to the process.

HANDLE WITH CARE
While washing the denture, make sure you don’t rough-handle it, thus resulting in deformation or damage to its plastic and clasps

CARE FOR YOUR MOUTH
After you remove the denture for cleaning, make sure that your mouth is cleaned as well. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean your tongue, teeth, gums, palate (upper part of your mouth) and cheeks.

DAILY BRUSHING OF DENTURE
Clean your denture on a daily basis; you may soak as well as brush it with a nonabrasive denture cleaner to remove food and plaque. Before using the denture adhesive and placing it back into your mouth, make sure that you remove any excess adhesive and clean the grooves that will fit against the gums. Never use the denture cleanser directly inside your mouth.

OVERNIGHT STORAGE OF DENTURES
To keep the denture in good condition, it is recommended to place them overnight in water or a denture soaking solution. If you are using the latter, you will need to study the manufacturer’s instructions specified in the product literature. It is also wise to consult your dental professional if you have any more doubts regarding denture storage.

RINSE IT, BEFORE YOU PUT IT ON
In the mornings, before you put back the denture into your mouth, make sure you rinse it as the denture soaking solution can cause irritation or induce vomiting.

VISIT YOUR DENTIST REGULARLY
Make sure that your denture is professionally cleaned at regular intervals. He/She will also be checking if it fits well inside your mouth, as well as check your mouth to see if it is healthily maintained as advised in previous sittings. Make sure to mention whether it is a loose fit, as it may cause sores and infections.

Good dental care also requires that you avoid certain things:

• Avoid hard-bristled brushes and harsh toothpaste as they can damage your dentures.
• Don’t use whitening toothpaste as it is are very abrasive in nature and can cause damage to your denture.
• Don’t use bleaching solutions as they can weaken the denture and cause discolouration. Dipping the denture with metal attachments can corrode it apart from the obvious discolouration.
• Don’t use very hot water on the denture, as its shape may get distorted.