How do I take care of my dentures?

Dentures are very delicate and may break if dropped even a few inches. Stand over a folded towel or a basin of water when handling dentures. When you are not wearing them, store your dentures away from children and pets.

Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food deposits and plaque. Brushing helps prevent dentures from becoming permanently stained and helps your mouth stay healthy. It's best to use a brush designed for cleaning dentures. A toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes that can damage dentures.

Some denture wearers use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid, which are both acceptable for cleaning dentures. Avoid using other powdered household cleansers, which may be too abrasive. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture.

Your denturist can recommend a denture cleanser. Look for denture cleansers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

The first step in cleaning dentures is to rinse away loose food particles thoroughly. Moisten the brush and apply denture cleanser. Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid damage.

Dentures may lose their shape if they are allowed to dry out. When they are not worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water. Your dentist can recommend the best method. Never place dentures in hot water, which could cause them to warp.

Ultrasonic cleaners are also used to care for dentures. However, using an ultrasonic cleaner does not replace a thorough daily brushing.

 

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

 

Should I use a denture adhesive?

Denture adhesive can provide additional retention for well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, consult with your denturist immediately.

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

 

Can I make minor adjustments or repairs to my dentures?

You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.

See your denturist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A denturist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

Will my dentures need to be replaced?

Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear. To reline or rebase a denture, the denturist uses the existing denture teeth and refits the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear. Dentures become loose because a mouth naturally changes with age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It's important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

Must I do anything special to care for my mouth?

Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.

 

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

How often should I schedule denturist appointments?

Your denturist will advise you about how often to visit. Regular dental check-ups are important. The denturist will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit properly. The denturist also examines your mouth for signs of oral diseases including cancer.

With regular professional care, a positive attitude and persistence, you can become one of the millions of people who wear their dentures with a smile.

 

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

Now I have dentures - I don't need an annual exam, do I?

Your dentures and tissues should be checked annually. Damage to the oral tissues can take place without your being aware of it. Early detection and elimination of tissue inflammation is important to minimize shrinkage of the supporting bone and tissue. By keeping the tissue healthy your dentures will continue to fit correctly.

Your Denturist will also check for looseness of the denture due to tissue changes, stains and calculus deposits on the denture, your bite position (how evenly your teeth close together). It's not the dentures which change over time, it's your mouth which is continually changing so by having your Denturist check on your oral condition, you are able to enjoy all the benefits of a well fitting quality denture.

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

How often should I have my dentures assessed?

A yearly check-up of your Denture is recommended. This is important for your general oral health, and to monitor any changes with the fit or health of your gums and dentures. Physical challenges with the supporting bone in your mouth, use of certain medications, or weight loss, can all affect the fit of your dentures.

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

Why are my dentures feeling loose?

The change that occurs in your mouth after your teeth are extracted is referred to as gum resorption. As the jaw bone changes and the ridges upon which dentures rest, shrink, there is less stability in the mouth. This means greater space between your teeth, a loss of lip and cheek support, and a looser fit.

To counter the problem of gum resorption, Relines or Rebases are recommended every two years. Relines can be done in as little as one day. In the morning you come in, have a new impression taken of your gums, then the Denturist reconstructs your denture using the new fit with high strength acrylic. You come back later that afternoon to pick up your proper fitting denture.

Back to FAQs

 

 

How often should I replace my dentures?

We recommend that you replace your denture every five years. This is because a person’s mouth and gums are in a constant state of change. Because your denture is a hard appliance, it cannot adjust to the changes in your mouth by itself! The artificial teeth wear down, and the denture does not support the face as it did when it was new. This leads to an older, “sunken” look in the face, discomfort, and lack of proper function. When you reach the point where your dentures are feeling too loose, where they are uncomfortable, or where you notice a visible change in your appearance, it is time to call your Denturist and have your dentures replaced!

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

What happens if I don't regularly replace my dentures?

Worn out dentures can cause permanent damage, compromising the health of the denture wearer. Some possible effects are: headaches, neck and joint pain, difficulty chewing, poor digestion and dietary problems, sunken face, over-closing of the jaw, irritated and soft gums, as well as premature bone loss, due to ill-fitting dentures.

 

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

How can I prepare for a broken denture?

Even though dentures are fabricated from extremely durable materials – they will wear out, break, or a tooth may pop out. In fact it is frequently not a matter of “if” but of “when” it will become broken, lost, or damaged beyond repair. One can be assured that a problem will likely happen when least expected!

Spare dentures can bridge the gap of being without a regular denture while it is being repaired. Such an interim prosthesis may be relined and adjusted in advance, in order to fit the changing shape of an individual’s jaw, making it ready to use at a moment's notice.

 

 

Back to FAQs

 

 

 

My denture needs repair. How long is it going to take?

The first adjustment period is always the most difficult. You have worn dentures for a while now and have already learned to speak and eat while wearing a denture. While there will be some adjustment, it will be a shorter period and will be more comfortable.  Prolonged use of ill-fitting dentures can irritate the the gums, tongue and cheeks. Your ability to chew will decrease and your face may acquire deep aging lines and wrinkles. When you consider this, a temporary adjustment period, may not seem so bad.

Back to FAQs