9 Daily Practices for Keeping Your Dentures in Mint Condition
Dentures can restore both your smile and your self-confidence. Taking good care of them will keep them looking nice for several years of regular wear. The following nine tips will help you keep your dentures in mint condition day in and day out.
1- Brush Twice a Day
Your dentures should be taken out two times a day for brushing. Clean both the inside and outside surfaces of the dentures. While you have your dentures out, use a soft toothbrush to clean your gums. If you still have some natural teeth in your mouth, they used be brushed at this time too. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride for that job.
2- Use a Denture Brush
Dentures need a soft touch. Therefore, it is best to brush them with a tool designed especially for dentures. If you do not have a denture brush, a soft toothbrush will do as a stand-in. Get the brush wet before applying cleanser and rubbing it on the surface of the dentures.
3- Use Denture Cleanser
Dentures also require special cleaning pastes or gels instead of regular toothpaste. Paste intended for natural teeth can scratch the delicate surface of dentures. If you don’t have denture cleanser, try antibacterial soap or dish detergent instead.
4- Bleach as Needed
You don’t need to bleach your dentures daily, but you should give them a quick whiff each day to see if they could use it. When odors begin to develop, soak the dentures in a bleach solution. Mix one teaspoon of bleach with one cup of water. Let the dentures sit in the mixture for half an hour. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off the bleach water before you wear the dentures again.
5- Protect Your Dentures from Falls
If you drop your dentures while cleaning them, they can break. Even just a short fall from your hand to the counter can be enough to cause damage. Over the sink is a good place to clean your dentures, but you should prepare the area first. One option is to lay a towel in the sink to cushion a fall. Another suggestion is to fill the sink with water so that dropped dentures will splash into the water instead of crashing onto the sink’s hard surface.
6- Avoid Adhesives
Because adhesives contain zinc, it’s not good for your body to use them daily. Doing so can lead to your absorbing too much of this mineral. If your dentures fit properly, you shouldn’t need adhesive. If they need to be adjusted, visit your dentist. While you wait for your appointment, it’s fine to use adhesive for the short term.
7- Soak Your Dentures Nightly
Your gums need a break from your dentures each day, so leave them out overnight for at least six hours. This is a perfect time to soak them in a denture-cleansing solution. Cleansers usually come in tablet form, and these discs dissolve in warm water. Place the dentures in a bowl or other container, cover them with lukewarm water, and gently drop in one cleansing tablet. Leave the dentures in the solution overnight. In the morning, brush the dentures, and then rinse them off well before putting them back in your mouth.
8- Keep Dentures Away from Heat
It’s good for your dentures to be thoroughly clean, but boiling them or running them through the dishwasher is not the way to do it. The heat from these methods can warp your dentures so that they no longer fit properly. In fact, it’s best to use warm water to rinse your dentures because even hot tap water might be damaging.
9- Leave Adjustment to the Pros
Denturehelper.com said, “It might be tempting to tweak your dentures if they don’t fit right or apply some glue if a part breaks, but this can cause further damage.” If your dentures need work, make an appointment with your dentist. The dentist’s office will have the professional tools and expertise to make the repairs quickly and carefully.
