False Teeth: How to Care for Your New Dentures

Dentures are a great solution for replacing missing teeth. However, if you have just been fitted with dentures, you might be confused about how best to care for them. Dentures require just as much care as natural teeth. However, the ways of caring for dentures are different from the ways you care for natural teeth. Below is a guide to the basics of caring for your dentures and maintaining your oral health.

Keep Your Dentures Clean

Although unclean dentures will not decay in the same way natural teeth would, they can still cause problems for the rest of your mouth such as oral thrush, gum disease, bad breath and, if you are wearing a partial denture, decay of your remaining natural teeth. You should clean your dentures twice a day. Apply a non-abrasive denture cleaning paste or soap and water to the dentures using a soft brush to remove any plaque or food build-up. Do not use toothpaste to clean your dentures as this can scratch and damaged them.

Handle Your Dentures with Care

Dentures are quite fragile things. Because saliva can make your dentures slippy, you should be careful when removing them from your mouth, ensuring they do not fall from your hand. When cleaning your dentures, place a towel in the sink before filling it with water. Hold the dentures above the sink as you clean. If you drop your dentures, you can be safe in the knowledge that they will be cushioned by the water and towel.

Watch What You Eat

When you are wearing dentures, you will have to think more carefully about the types of food you eat. You should generally opt for softer foods and ensure that you cut it up into small pieces. This will help you to chew the food more easily. You should avoid sticky or hard foods such as peanut butter or raw vegetables as these could cause damage to your dentures.

Remove Your Dentures at Night

Each evening you should remove your dentures and soak them in a glass of water to prevent them from drying out. This will also give your gums a chance to recover from the pressure placed on them by your dentures during the day and will help to prevent oral infections.

If you have any questions or concerns about your new dentures, you should book an appointment with your dentist, who will be able to offer suitable advice and treatment.

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