Congratulations on your new dentures! They’re a fantastic way to restore your smile and get back to enjoying all your favorite foods with confidence. But just like a new pair of shoes, they need a little breaking in and a specific kind of care to keep them comfortable and functional for many years.
Caring for dentures is different from caring for natural teeth, and it might not be something you automatically know how to do. Don’t worry though, because it’s easy to learn. By following a few key steps, you can keep your dentures in great shape and your mouth healthy. Let’s walk through the three most important care tips that every denture-wearer should know.
Taking Care of Your Dentures: Your Simple Guide to a Healthy, Happy Smile
Tip #1: Keep Them Soaking Wet (They’re Like a Pet Fish!)
This might be the most surprising rule: your dentures absolutely need to stay moist. Think of them like a wooden cutting board. If you leave a cutting board out to dry, it can warp and crack. The same thing happens to dentures.
When you take them out at night, they should never be left on a dry surface like your nightstand or wrapped in a napkin. Instead, they need to take a nice bath in a glass or container filled with liquid.
You can use a special denture-cleaning solution from the store, which helps clean and disinfect them while they soak. But if you don’t have any solution, plain old water works perfectly well in a pinch. The main goal is to keep them from drying out.
Why is this so important? First, dry dentures can lose their shape. If they warp, they won’t fit your gums correctly anymore. Ill-fitting dentures can rub painfully against your gums, creating sore spots that are uncomfortable and become infected.
Secondly, tiny invisible cracks can form on them when they dry out. These cracks are like cozy little apartments for harmful bacteria to grow in, which can cause gum disease and other oral health issues. A simple overnight soak is the easiest way to prevent all these problems and more.
Tip #2: Be Gentle—They’re Tougher Than They Look (But Not That Tough!)
While dentures are durable for everyday chewing, they’re still made from a specialized plastic and can be damaged if you’re not careful. You have to treat them with a gentle touch.
When it’s time to clean them, always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. A hard-bristled brush can scratch the surface. You should also avoid using regular toothpaste. The same toothpaste you use for natural teeth is often too abrasive for dentures!
The gritty particles in toothpaste are designed to scrub away plaque from enamel, but on dentures, they create microscopic scratches. These tiny scratches become hiding places for bacteria and stains, making your dentures look dull and unclean over time. It’s best to use a cleanser made specifically for dentures.
Another common mistake is using hot water to clean them. Never rinse or soak your dentures in hot water. The high temperature can warp the plastic, changing their shape and ruining their custom fit. Always use cool or lukewarm water instead.
Tip #3: Make a Daily “Out-of-Mouth” Ritual
This tip is all about protecting your overall health. It’s absolutely essential that you take your dentures out every single night. Your gums need a break! Wearing them 24/7 puts constant pressure on your gums and jawbone and doesn’t give your mouth a chance to rest and recover.
But the reasons go beyond simple comfort. When you sleep with your dentures in, you’re creating a perfect environment for bacteria to multiply. This can cause bad breath, oral infections like stomatitis, and even more serious health problems.
In fact, studies have shown that wearing dentures overnight can double your risk of pneumonia. How? While you’re asleep, you can accidentally inhale the bacteria that have built up on your dentures deep into your lungs. This can cause an infection.
Your daily routine should look something like this:
- Remove and Clean: Take your dentures regularly out and gently brush them with a soft brush and denture cleanser to remove food and plaque. After dinner or before bed are great times to remove and clean them.
- Soak Them: Place your clean dentures in their soaking solution or water for the night.
- Care for Your Mouth: Just because you don’t have natural teeth doesn’t mean you can skip mouth care. Use a very soft toothbrush or a damp washcloth to gently brush your gums, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. This keeps your entire oral environment healthy, stimulates circulation, and removes plaque.
By making this three-step process a non-negotiable part of your day, you’re protecting your investment in your dentures and investing in your long-term health. Proper care means a comfortable fit, a brighter smile, and a healthier you. If you ever have questions or feel like your dentures aren’t fitting right, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell. They’re your partner in making sure your smile stays strong and comfortable.