Taking care of your dentures is an important part of wearing them. Just like natural teeth, dentures still require daily care to keep them from getting dirty, stained, or compromised. Whether they are full or partial, implanted or removable, all dentures need to be cleaned every day—here’s why.
Five Reasons Why It’s Important to Clean Your Dentures
1: Cleaning your dentures will keep your gums healthy and able to support them.
Gum disease and peri-implantitis (the implant version of gum disease) can break down the soft tissues of your mouth. If those structures are helping to hold an implant, full or partial dentures, a dental bridge, or any other dental appliances, you may be unable to wear them if your gum health is poor.
2: It reduces your exposure to germs and bacteria.
Germs and bacteria can do more than make your breath stink or your dentures feel fuzzy. They can also cause infections in the soft tissues of your mouth, spread illnesses like the common cold, and even infect any healthy teeth that still remain.
3: Cleaning your dentures keeps your breath smelling fresh.
Bad breath (halitosis) can make a literal stink. Daily cleaning of your dentures can help eliminate the bacteria that live in plaque buildup and cause the bad smell.
4: It helps your dentures last longer.
Taking proper care of your dentures will make them last longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often. Degradation, such as chipped portions or warping of the prosthesis, can easily happen without proper care.
5: Cleaning your dentures prevents stains from forming.
The materials that dentures are made from are meant to mimic real teeth. While this does make your smile look more natural, dentures can get stained, just like natural teeth (although not as easily). Daily cleaning helps eliminate stains before they sink too far into the prosthetic.
How to Clean Your Dentures
No matter what type of dentures you wear, if they are not fitting properly or seem damaged, make an appointment with your dentist. Damage can sometimes be made worse by mishandling or harsh cleaning, so it’s important to clean your dentures the right way.
Denture Cleaning Tips:
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- Handle your dentures carefully. Filling the sink with water or spreading a towel on your vanity will help prevent damage if you accidentally lose your grip and drop your removable dentures.
- Always clean your mouth after removing your dentures. Bacteria can eat away at the soft tissues in your mouth as well as your remaining teeth. Gently brushing your teeth and gums and using mouthwash every day will keep your mouth clean.
- Brush your dentures every day. Use a soft-bristled brush and either a non-abrasive denture cleaner (not to be used when they are in your mouth!) or non-abrasive toothpaste to gently buff and clean your dentures. This removes germs, stuck on foods, and other debris.
- Don’t forget to floss. With partial dentures or implants, you still need to floss between the natural teeth and the prosthetic. Or, if you have a dental bridge, don’t forget to floss the gap between your bridge and the gum line.
- Use a mouth rinse once a day. Using mouthwash can help rinse away germs and debris from hard-to-reach areas, and it also freshens your breath.
- Soak your dentures overnight. Soaking your dentures will help them keep their shape, and will also remove any stuck-on residues from the day. Just remember to rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
Exceptional Dental Care for Patients with Dentures
Even with daily cleaning, you still need a deep clean twice a year from a hygienist. Plus, regular checkups will ensure that your dentures are in good working order and fitting well. If you are looking for top-notch dental care, look no further than the experts at Country Club Dental. An appointment with either Dr. Whitney or Dr. Weedman can help you keep your dentures pristine and your mouth healthy. Contact us today to make an appointment.
Images used under creative commons licence – commercial use (4/6/24). Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash.
