How to keep your dentures in tip-top condition

Many people who wear full dentures are unaware that false teeth need to be cleaned as well. Poor denture cleanliness can lead to poor oral hygiene, and greater health consequences overall. Read on to learn how to take better care of your dentures.

Clean your dentures daily

It’s recommended that you clean your dentures daily with a denture toothbrush using a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Each night your denture should be removed — this is for both full and partial denture users. Think of it like your shoes — imagine what would happen if you never took them off. Just as your feet need a chance to breath, so does your mouth. By not taking your dentures out at night, you don’t give your gums and mouth a rest and this can exacerbate areas of pressure where the dentures sit and has the potential to cause fungal infections.

Soak dentures overnight

Once they’re removed, they should be soaked in a cleansing solution. This should only be used outside the mouth and it’s recommended you follow manufacture instructions. By soaking the dentures overnight, you’re decreasing your risk of contracting denture stomatitis, a form of thrush.

Visit your dentist regularly

Even if you don’t have any natural teeth, it’s still important to get a general dental health check-up twice a year. At these check-ups, an oral cancer screen can be performed; it’s important to regularly check the mouth and lips for early signs of oral cancer. The tissues under the dentures can also be checked for fungal infections.

At these appointments, your denture will also be cleaned, this can be done with Airflow technology, a high-pressure air, powder and water device used to clean off any of the stubborn stains you can’t get off at home as well as removing bacteria that may be stuck to the denture. 

The fit of the dentures will also be checked, making sure they haven’t become loose.

Meanwhile, if you have a partial denture, it’s important you have both the appliance and your teeth checked regularly as there’s an increased health risk to the supporting teeth. In some cases, the dentures can cause inflammation of the surrounding gums due to trapped plaque and the decay of your remaining natural teeth.