How to care for your dentures

Caring for your dentures not only maintains optimum hygiene and prevents stains, odours, plaque and tartar, but also extends their life.

Looking after dentures can be easier than looking after natural teeth, since you are able to remove them and make sure they are being thoroughly cleaned.

When you first get your dentures, try not to remove them for the first 24 hours. After this time you may remove them at night to give your gums and tissues a rest.

When removing, adjusting or putting your dentures back in, always use your fingers and do not try to bite them into position – this can put strain on the dentures and your remaining teeth. When you are not wearing your dentures, you should keep them moist, in a glass of water or denture box, to ensure they do not dry out, warp or become brittle.

It’s important to keep your dentures clean to ensure they are hygienic and will last a long time. The Accurate Denture Clinic advises denture wearers to: 

• brush dentures every day, particularly after meals
• use cold or lukewarm water, as hot water can distort dentures
• use non-abrasive cleaners, such as denture cream, hand soap or liquid soap
• avoid using regular toothpaste as it can destroy the plastic part of dentures
• avoid using household cleaners, antiseptic, bleach or boiling water – these can deteriorate the materials and appearance of dentures
• brush dentures gently with a soft or medium brush
• hold dentures between your fingers, not in your palm, as you run the risk of squeezing and breaking them. Lower dentures should be held in the centre, rather than on the sides
• clean dentures over a basin of water or a folded towel to avoid damage should you drop them
• soak dentures using specialised solutions or tablets – ensure you still brush them afterwards
• remember to brush your remaining natural teeth and gum areas (gently) to keep them healthy
• after any cleaning or soaking process, rinse your dentures well before replacing them in your mouth.

While your face, jaw and tissues may change over the years, your prosthesis, which is rigid, will not. The Accurate Denture Clinic advises denture wearers to get their dentures checked if these issues arise:

• sore, irritated or softening gums and tissues
• problems chewing certain foods properly
• indigestion problems
• thinning lips, sagging mouth or any change in facial features
• loose dentures or dentures that fall out when talking or laughing
• discolouration or smell
• headaches, neck or ear pain
• bone loss or deformation in the mouth.