Denture Care

Advice and tips on caring for your dentures

Properly designed and fitted dentures provide comfort and function for many of our patients. However, you need to care for dentures properly to ensure they last, look good, and prevent oral health issues. If you neglect routine care and cleaning, your dentures will deteriorate and could contribute to infections and other problems.

How to Take Care of Your Dentures

Daily cleaning is essential. After meals and at bedtime, remove our dentures and rinse them under running water. This removes food debris and minimizes staining. At least once, preferably twice a day, carefully clean your dentures. Brush them with a soft-bristle, denture toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive cream designed specifically for dentures. Be sure to clean all surfaces, including the palate. Remove any dental adhesives.

Always remove your dentures at night and soak them to keep them moist and prevent warping. You can soak them in cool water or a denture cleaning solution meant for this purpose. While your dentures are soaking, brush your tongue, gums, the roof of the mouth, and your cheeks with a soft-bristle brush and mild toothpaste (do not use the denture cleanser; it is not designed for oral use). Be sure to remove any denture adhesive on your gums.

Always rinse your dentures under cool, running water before returning them to your mouth, particularly if they were soaking in a cleaning solution. Never use hot water for soaking, cleaning, or rinsing, as it can warp your dentures.

The Importance of Regular Checkups

Just like natural teeth, dentures need regular checkups and professional cleaning. At each checkup, we check the fit and condition of your dentures. Changes in your mouth, as well as wear and tear, can contribute to a poor fit. Your dentist will also professionally clean your dentures and examine your mouth and gums to ensure they are healthy.

Do Your Dentures Need a Professional Cleaning?

Dentures can develop tartar buildup. If your dentures have a buildup of hard, beige accretions, your dentist can professionally clean them using special dental tools. Seeing your dentist every six months can ensure they do not develop any problems.

What are Signs You Need Your Dentures Repaired?

The normal wear and tear of eating, drinking, and speaking cause damage to your dentures over time. Sometimes your dentures need fixing due to sudden injury or wear in some areas. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is time to have your dentures examined and repaired:

• Loose-fitting or uncomfortable dentures
• Pressure sores on the gums
• Slipping and shifting dentures while eating or speaking
• Gum infections
• Cracked or chipped dentures
• Uneven wear of the denture plate or teeth
• Difficulty placing or removing your dentures

We are happy to demonstrate proper denture care and cleaning to our patients. If you have not had your dentures professionally cleaned in the last six months, contact us at Bethesda Office Phone Number 301-530-3600 to schedule an appointment.

• Only your dental professional is qualified to diagnose your oral health and adjust your denture or partial.
• Dentures should be brushed inside and outside daily with a soft, large nylon denture toothbrush with round-ended bristles.
• Use denture creams instead of toothpaste, which are too abrasive and will scratch your denture. Rinse with cold water.
• Dentures warp if placed in hot water.
• Inspect your denture regularly for worn teeth.
• Worn and stained dentures can make you look older and cause your dentures to function poorly.
• Discuss all your current medications with your doctor and dental professional.
• Be sure to visit your dental professional regularly.
• Have loose dentures checked immediately as they can cause friction and pressure on the gum tissues and bones.
• When not in use, cover dentures with water or a denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out.
• Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for new dentures every 5 years.