Denture Removal

Gripping your dentures properly can help you to avoid dropping and damaging them.

Dentures are a way of life for many people, whether due to dental accidents or the natural aging process. Caring for your dentures is essential to keeping them in proper condition and preventing oral pain and discomfort. If you don't handle your dentures properly, you can damage them and have to replace them, which can be very expensive. One daily part of denture maintenance is removing your dentures. This is necessary in order to clean your dentures, as well as your gums.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Denture cleanser
• Denture paste

Instructions

1. Rinse out your mouth with warm water or mouthwash.

2. Stop up your bathroom sink and fill it with warm water. This protective measure prevents your dentures from breaking if you accidentally drop them.

3. Position your thumb behind your upper front teeth and gently push outward and upward simultaneously to slide out your top denture.

4. Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of your lower teeth -- in the center of your mouth -- and place your thumb on the front of your chin. Gently pull your dentures forward with a rocking motion.

5. Place your dentures in a cup with a denture cleansing tablet. Soak them for the amount of time indicated on the package directions and brush them with denture paste and water to finish cleaning them after soaking.

6. Brush your gums with toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush to remove any denture adhesive or food residue.

References

• Denture Living: How to Remove Your Dentures
• Policare: How to Insert and Remove Dentures or Partials