Denture Care

Why are dentures important?

Four out of 10 older Americans wear dentures. Dentures do exactly the same work as natural teeth. Dentures affect your physical, mental, and social health. You need good dentures to chew food into pieces small enough for your digestive system to handle. Neglected dentures can irritate the gums and cause painful sores.

Good dentures help your mental outlook. They help you look good and feel good about yourself. Dirty or stained dentures do nothing at all for your self-image. Other people respond to a pleasant smile. Neglected dentures spoil a smile and may cause bad breath as well.

What can I do to get used to my dentures?

Both full dentures and partial dentures may feel awkward at first. At the beginning, eat soft, nonsticky food. Cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly. Be particularly careful not to eat food that is too hot. Dentures may make your mouth less sensitive to hot foods and liquids. Also, be careful of food with bones because your mouth may be less sensitive to hard objects. Avoid nuts and seeds that may slip under the dentures and cause irritation. Properly fitting dentures should not need adhesives or cushion pads.

How do I clean my dentures?

Dentures need to be taken out of the mouth for cleaning. It is often convenient to take them out at bedtime, let them soak in warm (not hot) water or a denture cleansing solution overnight, and then brush them in the morning. Always soak them if they are out of your mouth because keeping dentures dry may cause them to shrink or warp. If you are not comfortable taking your dentures out of your mouth for long periods of time, take them out only long enough to clean them. It is healthier to leave them out of your mouth overnight or for several hours, however, to avoid excessive pressure on soft tissues and bone. While your dentures are out of your mouth, use a soft toothbrush on your tongue, gums, and palate. Always remember to rinse your mouth and gums while the dentures are out.

It's a good idea to brush your dentures over a wash basin half full of water. If they slip from your fingers, they're less likely to crack if they land in water. Always use a special denture brush that will reach all parts of the denture. A regular toothbrush will not do the job. You can use soap, toothpaste, or bicarbonate of soda to clean dentures, but a special denture paste removes stains better.

Denture relining

Over time, your gums will probably shrink a little and your dentures will no longer fit as well as they used to. Also, a weight loss or gain of 10 pounds or more can affect how your dentures fit. You may develop sore spots where they begin to rub. Your dentures may need to be relined, or even replaced, after a number of years. Always consult your dentist if you have problems with your dentures. Your dentist will check your mouth for other problems and adjust your dentures. It is very important that red or white spots or other sores in the mouth that do not go away within 2 weeks are evaluated by your dentist within a few days. Persistent mouth sores can be an early sign of oral cancer.