Dentures are the false teeth that have been made by your dental professional to replace missing natural teeth. They can be either a full or partial denture. Like natural teeth, dentures attract plaque, become stained and collect food particles that can cause bad breath or irritate your gums. Keeping your dentures clean is vital for good oral health.
New dentures:
New dentures may take some getting used to, In the first week it is common to find the following:
Some speech difficulties – dentures may affect the tongues movement but with time and practice you will soon find that your speech has returned to normal
Difficulty eating – it is common for a lower denture to move a little due to the action of your tongue, cheeks and lips when chewing. For the first week you may find it helpful to cut your food in to smallest pieces, chew more slowly and avoid sticky foods.
Slight nausea – this is usually by your gag reflex. Focus on breathing through your nose which can help but if ongoing, consult your dental professional.
Daily dental care:
Whenever possible, your denture should be cleaned immediately after eating try to remove food debris and plaque. Ideally this should be done by brushing your denture, however if you are not at home, simply washing your denture under cool water is fine.
Brushing your dentures: brush your denture with a soft toothbrush, cool water and soap. Toothpaste should no be used at it is too abrasive and will cause damage to the denture over time. All the surfaces of the denture should be brushed, including the inside. If you use a partial denture, please use a separate toothbrush for your denture than that used for your natural teeth.
Take your denture out at night and leave it to soak in the water, this will give the soft tissue in your mouth a rest and will help prevent fungal infections. Dentures should always be left in cold water when out of the mouth to avoid them drying out. Hot water should not be used as it may warp the shape of your denture. For further cleaning, you may choose to soak your denture in a denture cleaning solution occasionally. Denture cleaning solution can be purchased from any pharmacy and some grocery stores.
Additional oral care:
To protect our overall oral health, you also need to look after your natural teeth, gums, tongue and palate. Brush these areas gently, twice daily with a soft bristle brush to stimulate blood circulation in the tissues, help remove plaque and prevent soft tissue inflammation. Remember to use a separate tootbrush for your mouth to that used for your denture. Regular dental check-ups are also important to monitor the health of the soft tissue in your mouth, diagnose other conditions and ensure that the denture is fitting adequately.
If problems arise:
If the denture feels like it is rubbing, causing ulcers, does not fit properly, or if you are having ongoing difficulty eating or speaking you should consult your dental professional. The denture may need to be relined, refit or tightened. Do not attempt to do this yourself as it is extremely fragile and may cause damage.
Be careful not to drop your denture when handling it. Always place a towel or some water in the bottom of the basin in case the denture is dropped.
