How to Take Care of Your Dentures

Proper denture care is important - it will extend the life of your dentures and help keep your mouth healthy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dentures
• denture cleaner
• denture brush
• optional: ultrasonic cleaner

1. Handle your dentures carefully. Just in case you accidentally drop them, stand over a carpeted floor or a sink of water when handling them.

2. 
   denture brush and powder

   Brush your dentures daily. Dentures must be brushed daily to remove food and plaque. Brushing can also help prevent stains on your dentures.
   
   Use a soft bristled brush that is designed for cleaning dentures. Avoid using a hard-bristled brush - they can damage dentures.
   Gently brush all surfaces of the denture and be careful not to damage any plastic or bend attachments.

3. 
   ultrasonic denture cleaner

   Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to clean your dentures.
   The denture is immersed in the tub and then sound waves create a wave motion that dislodges the undesirable deposits.
   
   They have 2 advantages:
   1) They are scrubbing for you.
   2) The ultrasonic waves are microscopic - they can get into places where a brush could never reach.

4. Select your denture cleanser carefully: Household cleansers and some toothpastes can be too abrasive. Also, do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals - they can discolor your dentures, and who wants to taste that anyway?

Tips & Warnings

• Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased or remade. Your face will change with time, and dentures wear out like everything else.
• Brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush every morning before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture's metal clasps.
• Never attempt to adjust or repair your dentures yourself.
• Be sure to contact your oral health care provider if your denture breaks, cracks, chips or if one of the teeth becomes loose.
• This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

Resources

• Denture cleaning kit
• Denture powder and brush