Don’t Neglect your Dentures

As dentures are worn in the mouth, it’s very important to look after them just like you would natural teeth. Here are a few tips to help keep them clean, prevent issues like bad breath and other oral conditions.

It is not essential to take dentures out at night time but it is recommended. By letting your gums rest at night without them can help prevent conditions such as oral thrush. Oral thrush can be caused if dentures are kept in for too long because the denture prevents the saliva from getting to the gums. Saliva has some protective and cleansing properties so taking them out allows them to breath.

If you take your denture out at night, always keep it moist otherwise the shape may change and won’t fit you properly. The best ways to keep it moist are to use a polyethene bag with some damp cotton wool or in a glass of water with a suitable denture cleaning solution such as Steradent. Cleaning solutions can also help to keep bacteria and stains at bay. Whatever you use, make sure you follow the manufactures instructions for best results.

Keeping them clean can also help prevent problems with gums and bad breath. The best way to keep them clean is to use a very soft brush. This will avoid scratching the plastic or metal which could collect bacteria. Use a nonabrasive cleaning detergent like washing up liquid as toothpaste can scratch the surface of the denture. Cleaning should be performed twice a day, just like you should with natural teeth. If you do have natural teeth, we advise for you to take the denture out so that you can clean them properly as having it in place may lead areas to be missed and can cause tooth decay.

While cleaning the denture, it is a good idea to place a towel or flannel in the sink in case you drop it. Then the soft landing can help prevent damage or breakage to the denture. Also, filling the sink with some water can work just as well to stop the impact of a dropped denture.

It is still very important to visit your dentist even if you have no teeth left. They check the fit of the denture, health your gums, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth  and tongue. If you do have some natural teeth left it is important that these stay healthy as they could be very important for keeping the denture in place for maximum comfort. Always see your dentist if you have problems with the denture and ask them to adjust it for you.

If you have any further questions regarding dentures, or you are not happy with your current dentures please do not hesitate to contact New Street Dental Care on 01264301301 or email us at info@newstreetdentalcare.co.uk for some friendly advice.