Proper Denture & Partial Denture Care
When putting the denture in your mouth, place the denture into its proper fitting place using your fingers, press it firmly into place, then close. Never place the denture in the mouth and bite to get the denture into place. This can warp the denture, break clasps of a partial denture, injure natural teeth or cause chips, fracture or breaking of the denture. This is how most dentures and partial dentures are broken.
Over time, even a perfectly fitting denture will likely become loose. This happens because the bone shrinks and gums change over time. Relining the denture will be necessary in the future for proper fit. A poorly fitting denture may cause problems with speech, chewing, or swallowing or may break due to shifting while biting. If the denture slips frequently, you are using more and more adhesives or you develop new sore spots after having the denture more than a year it is likely you need to have the fit of the denture adjusted. See your dentist.
Even if you are missing all your teeth, you can still develop oral cancer. You should visit your dentist once a year for an oral cancer screening. Every three years a panoramic x-ray should be taken to assist in oral cancer detection.
It’s possible to get bacteria or fungus growing on the denture or gums. Dentures sit on gum tissue, making it extremely important for patients with dentures to have excellent oral hygiene habits. Below are some tips to ensure both your denture and your mouth stay clean and healthy.
- A denture is fragile, so it is important to handle it with care.
- Denture adhesives may be recommended, especially for first-time denture wearers. Stability will help your confidence.
- Take your dentures out every evening. Do not sleep with the denture in-your gums need time to rest.
- Keep the denture clean by soaking and brushing it daily with a non-abrasive denture cleaner and brush. The brush should be specifically designed for cleaning dentures or a soft toothbrush.
- Do not use toothpaste on the denture because it can scratch the surface, leaving the denture susceptible to plaque and stains.
- Soak the denture in a proper denture cleanser or water nightly.
- Avoid using boiling water to sterilize the denture. Hot water can cause the denture to lose its shape and become warped.
- If you wear a partial denture, remove it before brushing your natural teeth. Care for the natural teeth by daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups. Oral hygiene is still very important!
- Even if teeth are missing, brush the gums to stimulate them.
- To avoid misplacing your denture, store it in the same place after removal.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Adjustments to pressure or sore spots, relining a loose denture and annual oral cancer screenings are good ideas.
