Just as you brush your natural teeth, full and partial dentures need to be cleaned on a regular basis. After every meal, you should run your dentures under a faucet to rinse away any leftover food. Dentures also need to be brushed, and there are special toothbrushes available that are designed to accommodate dentures. A soft-bristled toothbrush will also work. You will want to avoid using regular toothpaste on your dentures since many brands contain abrasive materials that can damage your dentures. There are denture cleaners available and some people use hand soap, or even dishwashing liquid. Whatever you choose, it’s important to make sure that you thoroughly rinse your dentures after cleaning them. While hot water is good for cleaning many things, it can cause your dentures to warp out of shape.
Even though you dentures are essentially removable teeth, that doesn’t mean you can stop brushing. If you have a partial denture, your remaining teeth still need to be brushed as usual. Even if you wear complete dentures, brushing your mouth will help clear away bacteria.
Remember that your dentures can be broken, so you want to make sure that you don’t drop them. When you are cleaning them, or handling them, do so over a towel or a sink filled with water.
Dentures need to remain moist in order to hold their shape and fit correctly in your mouth. You should place them in a denture solution overnight, or if you are going to take them out of your mouth for an extended period of time. Make sure that you rinse them well before putting them back in.
If your dentures break, by no means should you try to repair them yourself! That is a job left to your dentist and the dental lab, Save the pieces and contact your dentist. Your dentist can arrange to have your broken dentures repaired or to have you fitted for a new set. Over-the-counter glues and adhesives on your dentures could have a negative impact on your health.
If you are considering dentures or any other type of restorative or cosmetic dentistry; if you are having problems with your teeth, or if it is time for your regular checkup, our dentist, Dr. Purvesh Malaviya at Creative Dental Group in New Bedford, Massachusetts, would love to see you. Call our office at 508-990-9900 today to schedule an appointment.
