How Often to Perform Denture Care

For patients with dentures, proper denture care is necessary for preserving the life of these appliances and keeping them looking clean and attractive. Like natural teeth, dentures are prone to a buildup of plaque and food debris. With the right care, these prosthetic teeth will retain their shape and look their best.

What denture care is necessary?

Just like natural teeth, dentures need daily care. There are a few steps that need to be taken for proper oral hygiene each day.

Brushing

At a minimum, patients with dentures should brush them at least once per day. However, it is important not to use toothpaste. Toothpaste is designed as an abrasive to clean natural teeth. When used on dentures, it can cause very small scratches where plaque, bacteria and food debris can collect.

Instead, it is a good idea to use a special soft-bristled denture brush with a cleaner designed for dentures. Denture cleaning agents can be harmful if ingested, so patients should rinse dentures with clean water before replacing them.

Dentures are fragile, so it is also wise to place a towel or washcloth in the sink when brushing. If a patient drops the appliance by accident, this will cushion the fall and reduce the risk of the dentures breaking.

Rinsing

In some cases, patients may not be able to thoroughly brush with denture cleaner after each meal, and it is not necessary to use this agent multiple times per day. Instead, most dental professionals recommend thoroughly rinsing dentures with water after eating. Rinsing removes any leftover food particles and helps reduce the risk of plaque buildup.

Soaking

Depending on the type of dentures used, patients may have different instructions for overnight care. Most dentures, however, need to be soaked every night. Soaking helps dentures retain their shape. If they become too dry, dentures may not fit properly.

Soaking in plain water may be acceptable for some dentures, and others may need to soak in a special solution designed for the purpose. Just like denture cleaner, a denture-soaking solution may be damaging to delicate gum tissues. For patients using a soaking agent, it is important to rinse the dentures with water before placing them in the mouth. If denture-soaking or denture-cleaning solutions make contact with mouth tissues, it can cause burning, vomiting or mouth pain.

What happens if dentures are not cared for properly?

Denture care can sometimes be inconvenient. Nevertheless, if dentures are neglected, serious problems may occur. Some patients frequently sleep in their dentures. Doing so can result in increased bacterial buildup, which may cause bad breath. If done frequently, sleeping with dentures installed may cause infections.

If dentures are not cleaned thoroughly, plaque may build up. Just like plaque on natural teeth, plaque on dentures will harden and make it easier for bacteria to grow.

For patients new to dentures, dentists will typically go over the right way to care for both the appliance and the gums. Spending some time without wearing dentures, usually while sleeping, is necessary to give gums a rest and promote oral health.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Denture Care in Alexandria, VA.

Conclusion

With consistent daily denture care, a patient's dental appliance will likely last many years. For patients unsure of how to properly care for their dentures, contacting a dental office for advice is a wise course of action.

Request an appointment or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at 703-763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.

Related Posts

Choosing The Right Dentist For Your Smile Makeover

Considering a smile makeover and not sure where to start? Read on to learn more. Many people avoid smiling due to dental imperfections. A smile makeover may be the answer. A dentist can improve your smile with cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, bonding, and veneers. The right professional for the treatment is the key to…

What To Expect From Your First Dental Cleaning In Years

It is all too common to avoid dental cleanings until a tooth begins to ache. Or maybe you decided to get ahead of any dental issues, but years have passed due to a lapse in insurance, a lack of time, anxiety, or something else. Whatever it is, there is no need to feel nervous, awkward,…

How Dental Bridges Are Customized To Match Your Smile

Dental bridges are a solution to bridge the gap in one's teeth. Every smile tells a story, and you want to be sure that yours is the right representation for your life. Like any masterpiece, no two smiles are exactly the same, and we want to be sure that your smile is one you can…

Alexandria Old Town Dental

Share
Published by
Alexandria Old Town Dental

Recent Posts

Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Smile Makeover

Considering a smile makeover and not sure where to start? Read on to learn more.…

2 days ago

What To Expect From Your First Dental Cleaning in Years

It is all too common to avoid dental cleanings until a tooth begins to ache.…

3 days ago

How Dental Bridges Are Customized to Match Your Smile

Dental bridges are a solution to bridge the gap in one's teeth. Every smile tells…

4 days ago

Complications Associated With Tooth Extraction

If having a tooth extraction makes you nervous, know that it is a relatively common…

4 days ago

Can Traditional Braces Provide a Smile Makeover?

A misaligned tooth structure can severely impact how you view your smile. Traditional braces are…

5 days ago

Talk to Your Dentist About Starting Your Smile Makeover

Your dentist may suggest a smile makeover after a good assessment. The procedure will consist…

6 days ago