Dentures are a popular tooth replacement option that can help restore the look and functionality of your smile. A significant advantage of dentures compared to other dental restoration options is their affordability and convenience. 

At Dental Spot, we offer partial and full dentures. If you are missing a few teeth, ask about our partial dentures to fill in the gaps in your smile. If you are missing an entire arch, full dentures can restore your smile.

We craft custom dentures on-site in our own dental laboratory, ensuring they are precision-crafted, high-quality, and durable. While most dentures last between 5 and 10 years, learning how to care for dentures can extend their lifespan up to 15 years. 

How to Care for Dentures?

To avoid unnecessary damage and emergency trips to your dentist, it’s important to know how to care for dentures properly. Keep your dentures in pristine condition using the following tips. 

Remove and rinse your dentures after meals

After eating and drinking, remove and rinse dentures using warm (not hot) water. This helps prevent food particles and potentially corrosive materials from developing and damaging the denture material.  

Never use hot water to clean or store your dentures. The heat may warp the denture material, resulting in an imperfect fit. 

Handle dentures with care

Dentures are fragile, so they should be handled with care when removing and rinsing them. Be cautious of dropping them, leading to cracks or chips that require repair. 

Avoid potentially corrosive materials

Don’t use toothpaste with whitening agents or bleach-based products to clean dentures. These may be too harsh, causing stains or discolouration. Instead, brush your dentures with clean water or a denture cleaning solution. 

Don’t sleep wearing your dentures

Avoid sleeping while wearing removable dentures. A buildup of bacteria can develop on and around the dentures as you sleep, increasing the risk of oral health issues like gum disease (periodontitis). 

Keep dentures in cool water overnight to maintain their shape, keep them clean, and prevent them from becoming dry or brittle. 

Avoid at-home repairs

If your dentures break, warp, or stain, don’t try fixing them with at-home repair kits or standard household items, like glue. Instead, book an appointment with Dental Spot. We offer 24-hour denture repairs and relines to get your smile looking great again, fast.

Book regular checkups

Schedule regular dental appointments (every six months) to check your dentures and oral health. Your dentist can identify early signs of denture-related irritation, infection, or inflammation. If you require adjustments, we can tighten or reline your loose dentures. 

How to Clean Dentures?

Learning to clean dentures is a crucial part of denture maintenance. Although you can brush and clean dentures while they are in your mouth, it’s important to remove them for cleaning. This ensures you’re getting rid of bacteria from all surfaces, including the part of the denture that sits along the gumline. This practice minimises the risk of oral health issues like gum disease. Cleaning dentures is a five-step process.

• Create a sanitary space

Place a clean, soft towel on your bathroom countertop and fill your sink with water in case your dentures accidentally fall as you clean them.

• Remove and rinse

Once the cleaning station is set up, remove your dentures and rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water. The water should remove any large food particles or noticeable debris stuck in your dentures.

• Clean dentures with a soft brush

Always clean dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching the surface of the teeth. Brush the dentures lightly, slowly removing excess food, plaque buildup, and any remaining bacteria after your initial rinse. You can use mild dish soap or denture-soaking solution to brush the dentures to disinfect them more thoroughly.

• Clean your mouth without dentures

Maintaining good oral health is just as important as caring for dentures. Harmful bacteria from food debris can also live on your cheeks, tongue, and gums.

After removing your dentures, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your gums, tongue, and cheeks, targeting odour causing bacteria.

If you have partial dentures, brush and floss your remaining teeth to prevent decay and further tooth loss.

• Rinse and soak

Before putting your dentures back into your mouth, rinse them carefully. This is particularly important if you use a soaking solution or denture cleaner to clean dentures. If you’re cleaning your dentures before bed, soak them in cool water overnight to maintain their shape. When not left in water overnight, dentures may dry out and warp. You can also soak them overnight in a denture cleaning solution to ensure they are free of bacteria at the start of each day.

How Often Should You Clean Dentures?

Once you learn how to care for dentures, you should practice daily maintenance. Remove and clean your dentures at least once a day and be vigilant about your oral health routine. 

Maintaining Your Oral Health With Regular Dental Visits

Regular dental visits are an essential part of an effective oral hygiene routine. Practice diligent denture care to minimise the chance of gum disease and extend your dentures’ lifespan. 

To find out if a full or partial denture is the right tooth replacement option for you, contact the Dental Spot today on (02) 9158 6115.

References

Dentures
https://www.teeth.org.au/dentures

Risk of periodontal diseases increased by sugar-rich diet
https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/Risk-of-periodontal-diseases-increased-by-sugar-ri

What’s the Best Way to Floss Your Teeth?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-floss