Caring For Your Dentures

By Brent C. White, Jr., DDS

A denture is a removable prosthetic which replaces missing teeth and surrounding structures. It can be made of acrylic plastic and sometimes porcelain and metal materials.

Here are some tips to assure proper maintenance of your mouth and dentures

After each meal, remove and brush your denture much like you would your natural teeth.

Do not boil or microwave your dentures in an attempt to sterilize them, as they may become distorted.

Do not brush dentures with toothpaste as it is too abrasive; use a specially formulated denture paste.

Soak dentures in a denture cleanser (fizzy tablets) when not wearing the dentures.

Should a Denture

Be Worn At Night?

If you ask 10 different dentists, you would get 10 different answers. Under normal circumstances it is best to remove your dentures and soak them in the cleansing solution. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours daily allows the gum tissue to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva.

Continue Seeing

Your Dentist Regularly

It is important to continue having regular dental checkups so that your dentist can examine for signs of disease or cancer. As you age, your mouth may change. In order to maintain proper oral health, it may be necessary to adjust, reline or remake your denture. Never attempt to adjust a denture yourself, and do not use denture adhesives for a prolonged period of time. Dentures should be replaced every 5-7 years or as needed according to use and wear and tear.