Why Denture Care Is Important
Made to order exclusively for each patient, dentures fit snugly in the mouth cavity, well supported by the soft and hard tissues that surround them. However, proper denture care is important to your overall oral health because dentures are made of porous plastic and can retain plaque if not cleaned properly.
Hence, it is necessary to clean the prosthetic device every day, especially when you brush your teeth. However, using a toothbrush and toothpaste may not be sufficient. You may also need other denture products.
We, at The Strong Clinic, suggest that denture patients should pay particular attention to stains, plaque, and other cleanliness issues related to dentures. Because getting dentures cleaned on a regular basis not only keeps them in good shape but also gives denture users a perfect smile.
Not cleaning your set of dentures can prove to be very costly to get the stains and plaque cleared off. It is important that you remain careful from the very start and minimize denture wear over time.
Five Tips to Keep Your Dentures Clean
- Handle With Care: To avoid dropping, clean dentures in a basin of water. When cleaning, make sure you don’t bend them. You should always hold your dentures securely when cleaning them to prevent damage. You can chip off parts from the denture if you drop it accidentally. It is better that you place a soft material in the sink or basin you use to clean your dentures.
- Brush & Scrub Daily: Brushing and scrubbing once a day keeps the dentures clean. Use a soft-bristle brush to remove food particles, plaque, or other deposits. Scrub gently with a mild soap, cleaner, or dishwashing liquid. Hard scrubbing, harsh toothpaste, strong cleaners, and stiff-bristled brushes are not advisable, as these may damage the dentures.
- Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal: Bits of food can be trapped in between the dentures and the palate, the gums, and the teeth. Remember that when food gets stuck in your mouth for many hours, it can become fodder for bacteria. This can create a foul odor in the mouth and be very unhealthy for the gums and teeth. Therefore, remember to rinse your mouth after eating or brushing your teeth.
- Overnight Soaking: Dentures also need to soak overnight in some form of dental cleaner. This will help to kill any harmful bacteria. Everything is prone to bacterial growth. Most people just don’t realize it because they can’t see it. Some people even have it in their toothbrushes. So, it’s important to fight it the best way you know how. Soaking them every night will help to combat this issue. Once you wake up in the morning, be sure to rinse them thoroughly. This will help to ensure that all of the chemicals from the nightly soaking have been washed away.
- Use Denture Products: There are many denture products on the market, but you only need a few things. Obtain a denture toothbrush, cleaning solution, and adhesives if necessary. A denture toothbrush is specifically designed for your prosthesis and has softer bristles that do not harm the porous plastic.
Schedule Regular Denture Checkups
However, cleaning your tooth replacements isn’t the only important thing. You should also make sure you schedule a monthly checkup with us at The Strong Clinic in Tecumseh or Leamington. We will help to make sure that everything is working correctly and to see if they are fitting properly.
