How to Properly Care For Dentures

Dentures are a popular dental procedure that can offer someone back the full function and appearance of their smile. However, dentures are not indestructible, and it’s important to care for them diligently, just as you would your natural teeth, to ensure the dentures have a long lifespan.

If you have or are about to get dentures, here are a few tips on how to properly care for them, and make sure they last you a long time:

How to Clean Your Dentures

You should be cleaning your dentures ideally twice daily, but at the very least once every single day. Plaque and food particles can stick to dentures just as they can stick to natural teeth. Over time, all of this can build up and lead to gum disease if you are not careful.

Here’s what the denture cleaning process looks like:

• Remove dentures from your mouth and rinse them with warm water.
  

• Be careful not to drop your dentures, and place something soft on the counter, like a towel, to make sure they don’t get damaged if you accidentally dropped them.
  

• Gently brush the dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove all debris from your dentures, with special denture cleaner or even mild soap.
  

• Rinse your dentures again with warm water.
  

• If you do this during the day, place the dentures back in your mouth. If you’re doing this before bed, never leave your dentures to fully dry, as this can cause them to lose their shape. Place them in a glass of lukewarm water or denture cleaner overnight.
  

• Never soak the dentures in very hot water. High heat can modify their shape, making them a lot more difficult to place back into your mouth.
  

Denture Maintenance Best Practices

Apart from daily cleanings, there are other ways to make sure your dentures don’t get damaged over time:

• Remove and rinse dentures with lukewarm water after every meal.
• Avoid chewing on hard foods that can crack or chip your dentures.
• Don’t apply abrasive products on your dentures, such as harsh toothpaste for whitening agents.
• Don’t sleep with your dentures in.
• Remove adhesive from the dentures every single night to prevent build-up.
  

If you notice any changes in your dentures, such as a change in shape, chips, or cracks, you should call your Baltimore dentist right away and have them changed or repaired.

Interested in Dentures? Waterfront Dental Can Help!

If you are dealing with missing teeth and are looking for professional dental services to restore the full look and function of your smile, Waterfront Dental is happy to assist you. We offer several dental procedures that can offer you the smile of your dreams, from dentures to implants and other restorative services.

To find out more about which procedure is right with you, book a consultation with Dr. Dawn Merguerian, or call our Baltimore office at (410) 505-0551 for a chat.