How Often to Perform Denture Care

For patients with dentures, proper denture care is necessary for preserving the life of these appliances and keeping them looking clean and attractive. Like natural teeth, dentures are prone to a buildup of plaque and food debris. With the right care, these prosthetic teeth will retain their shape and look their best.

What denture care is necessary?

Just like natural teeth, dentures need daily care. There are a few steps that need to be taken for proper oral hygiene each day.

Brushing

At a minimum, patients with dentures should brush them at least once per day. However, it is important not to use toothpaste. Toothpaste is designed as an abrasive to clean natural teeth. When used on dentures, it can cause very small scratches where plaque, bacteria and food debris can collect.

Instead, it is a good idea to use a special soft-bristled denture brush with a cleaner designed for dentures. Denture cleaning agents can be harmful if ingested, so patients should rinse dentures with clean water before replacing them.

Dentures are fragile, so it is also wise to place a towel or washcloth in the sink when brushing. If a patient drops the appliance by accident, this will cushion the fall and reduce the risk of the dentures breaking.

Rinsing

In some cases, patients may not be able to thoroughly brush with denture cleaner after each meal, and it is not necessary to use this agent multiple times per day. Instead, most dental professionals recommend thoroughly rinsing dentures with water after eating. Rinsing removes any leftover food particles and helps reduce the risk of plaque buildup.

Soaking

Depending on the type of dentures used, patients may have different instructions for overnight care. Most dentures, however, need to be soaked every night. Soaking helps dentures retain their shape. If they become too dry, dentures may not fit properly.

Soaking in plain water may be acceptable for some dentures, and others may need to soak in a special solution designed for the purpose. Just like denture cleaner, a denture-soaking solution may be damaging to delicate gum tissues. For patients using a soaking agent, it is important to rinse the dentures with water before placing them in the mouth. If denture-soaking or denture-cleaning solutions make contact with mouth tissues, it can cause burning, vomiting or mouth pain.

What happens if dentures are not cared for properly?

Denture care can sometimes be inconvenient. Nevertheless, if dentures are neglected, serious problems may occur. Some patients frequently sleep in their dentures. Doing so can result in increased bacterial buildup, which may cause bad breath. If done frequently, sleeping with dentures installed may cause infections.

If dentures are not cleaned thoroughly, plaque may build up. Just like plaque on natural teeth, plaque on dentures will harden and make it easier for bacteria to grow.

For patients new to dentures, dentists will typically go over the right way to care for both the appliance and the gums. Spending some time without wearing dentures, usually while sleeping, is necessary to give gums a rest and promote oral health.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Denture Care in San Francisco, CA.

Conclusion

With consistent daily denture care, a patient's dental appliance will likely last many years. For patients unsure of how to properly care for their dentures, contacting a dental office for advice is a wise course of action.

Request an appointment or call Serenity Dental Spa at 415-376-6196 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.

Related Posts

Three Tips For Dealing With Dental Crown Issues

Dental crowns protect teeth, and patients should not experience any complications such as increased teeth sensitivity or gum pain while wearing them. If dental crown issues develop, then patients are encouraged to contact the dentist as soon as possible to schedule a visit and have the issue properly examined and treated.Although dental crown issues are…

Implant Overdentures: A Secure And Comfortable Alternative To Traditional Dentures

If you have lost multiple teeth, it is important to find a safe and comfortable way to replace them to maintain your oral health and overall quality of life. Implant overdentures offer a strong and reliable alternative to regular dentures. They provide better support and increased comfort, making you feel more confident during everyday activities.Implant…

How To Prepare For Your Dental Crown Procedure

A dental crown can save a tooth that is in danger of extraction. Dental crowns serve a dual purpose. They reinforce the tooth structure and improve the appearance of the smile at the same time. This means that a dentist could recommend a crown as a treatment for tooth decay or injury. A cosmetic dentist…

Serenity Dental Spa

Share
Published by
Serenity Dental Spa

Recent Posts

Three Tips for Dealing With Dental Crown Issues

Dental crowns protect teeth, and patients should not experience any complications such as increased teeth…

1 week ago

Implant Overdentures: A Secure and Comfortable Alternative to Traditional Dentures

Implant overdentures offer a secure, comfortable, and long-lasting solution for individuals looking for a tooth…

1 week ago

How to Prepare for Your Dental Crown Procedure

A dental crown can save a tooth that is in danger of extraction. Dental crowns…

2 weeks ago

The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right TMJ Treatment for You

TMJ disorders can affect the muscles, joints, or surrounding tissues involved in jaw movement, often…

3 weeks ago

What Are the Differences Between a Dental Crown and a Dental Veneer?

A dental crown and veneers are common dental treatments for restoring the appearance and functionality…

3 weeks ago

Four Tips for Making Your Dental Crowns Last

In most cases, the process of fitting dental crowns takes multiple sessions in the dentist’s…

4 weeks ago