Tips for Taking Care of Your Dentures

By Sarah Borroum

When you first get your dentures, you have to change some things in your daily routine. Even though most dentures look very much like natural teeth, they’re different in several ways. Taking good care of your new teeth will make them last longer and serve you better as long as you have them. These tips will help you keep your dentures in great shape.

You might not be very good at taking out your dentures at first. This is all right and will improve with practice. However, you need to be careful – dentures can chip or even shatter if they’re dropped on hard surfaces. Hard floors, metal sink faucets and even porcelain sinks can all damage your teeth. You can be sure that this does not happen by taking them out over a folded towel or a sink full of water.

Clean your dentures once a day, or as often as your dentist recommends. An effervescent cleaning solution can remove even stubborn stains from drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes.

You should not, however, use toothpaste to clean your dentures. Toothpaste is abrasive, which can damage your new teeth. Stick to the recommended cleaning solutions so that you’re sure to have your dentures as long as possible.

Hot water can warp dentures. You can use cold or warm water to soak or rinse them. Dentures can also dry out if they are not properly stored. Most cleaning solutions are fine for overnight soaking, but you can also use plain water – cold or warm.

Keep your mouth clean. Some brands of chewing gum are great for your breath – without sticking to your dentures. Ask your dentist for recommended brands. You should also clean your tongue and gums every day. A regular toothbrush with super-soft bristles can work well for this job.

Avoid the destructive things that dentists tell us all to avoid doing. You shouldn’t chew on ice, for example, or use your teeth to tear into tough packages. Though modern dentures are sturdy enough for everyday, normal use, they aren’t necessarily going to survive a nasty encounter with a potato-chip bag.

Wear your dentures. They’re going to be uncomfortable sometimes, but leaving them out only makes the adjustment process longer – and harder. This is a very important thing to discuss with your dentist. Be sure that he or she knows exactly what part of your mouth is uncomfortable. The dentist might be able to adjust your dentures to make them fit better and, therefore, be easier to wear.

Follow up with your dentist for adjustments, questions and problems. You should not try to fix dentures yourself. Over-the-counter products might not be great for your type of denture. You should let the professional handle these problems.

If you follow these tips, and heed your dentist’s advice, your dentures should work well for years. You will eventually have to have a new set, but doing the little things mentioned above should maximize the time that you have with your current dentures.