After Care Instructions
Denture Care
- Handle dentures with great care. To avoid accidentally dropping them, stand over a folded towel or a full sink of water when handling them.
- Brush and rinse dentures daily, but not with toothpaste.Toothpaste is abrasive and creates microscopic scratches where food and plaque can build up. Like natural teeth, denturesmust be brushed daily to remove food and plaque. Brushing also helps prevent the development of permanent stains on the dentures. Use a brush with soft bristles that is specifically designed for cleaning dentures. Avoid using a hard-bristled brush as it can damage or wear down dentures. Gently brush all surfaces of the denture and be careful not to damage the plastic or bend attachments. In between brushings, rinse dentures after every meal.
- Clean with a denture cleaner.Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid can be used for cleaning dentures. Household cleansers and many toothpastes maybe too abrasive for dentures and should not be used. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture. Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to care for dentures. These cleaners are small bathtub-like devices that contain a cleaning solution. The denture is immersed in the tub and then sound waves create a wave motion that dislodges the undesirable deposits. Use of an ultrasonic cleaner, however, does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
- Take proper care of dentures when not wearing them.Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape. When not worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water. However, if the denture has metal attachments, the attachments could tarnish if placed in a soaking solution. Dentures should never be placed in hot water, which can cause them to warp.
- Dentures that don’t fit properly can cause irritation and sores in the mouth and on gums. Be sure to contact Dentistry at Parkplace if your denture breaks, cracks, or chips or if one of the teeth becomes loose. Oftentimes, your we can make the necessary adjustment or repair the same day. For some complicated repairs, your denture may have to be sent to a special dental lab.
Will My Dentures Need to Be Replaced?
Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear and natural age-related changes to the face, jaw bones, and gums or if the dentures become loose. To reline or rebase a denture, we will need to refit the denture base or make a new denture base and reuse the existing teeth. Generally, complete dentures should be used for 5 to 7 years before a replacement is necessary
How Often Should I See the Dentist if I Have Dentures?
If you have dentures, every six months should be the norm. Regular dental visits are important so that your dentures and your mouth can be examined to ensure proper denture fit, to look for signs of oral diseases including cancer, andto have teeth professionally cleaned.