Dentures Cleaning & Care
Maintaining your gums and dentures for lasting comfort and oral health.
1 min read
If you wear dentures, it's easy to believe the chore of oral hygiene is over. It isn't — maintaining the health of your gums and keeping your dentures clean is still crucial for overall oral health.
Denture cleaning and care
One advantage dentures have over natural teeth is that they can be removed, washed, and rinsed. After eating, rinse your dentures and brush them to remove food. Despite being artificial, plaque and tartar can still build up — so clean them with a toothbrush using toothpaste designed for dentures, rather than regular fluoridated toothpaste.
Handling dentures
Dentures are delicate. When removing them, keep in mind they're moist and may be slippery. Set a towel on the sink or fill the sink with water to soften any falls. Damage won't hurt you, but it can affect their appearance and performance — so treat them with care.
Keep dentures moist
Even though they're artificial, dentures work best when kept moist. That's no problem in your mouth, but whenever you remove them — such as overnight — keep them in a cleaning solution or other liquid to prevent drying out.
Rest your gums
It's not a good idea to wear dentures all the time. Your gums need rest. Putting your dentures away for the night, when you won't be speaking or eating, keeps your gums healthy and comfortable.
See your dentist
Just because you're not caring for a full set of teeth doesn't mean you can't benefit from a visit. Changes in your gums can be detected and adjustments made professionally. Regular checkups keep both your gums and your dentures in prime condition.