How to Care for Dentures

If you are missing some or all of your teeth, dentures can provide a huge improvement to your quality of life. They can make eating, speaking, and smiling easier, provide structure for your mouth, and stimulate the jaw bone to deter bone loss. Although dentures are conveniently removable, they do require care. By taking good care of your dentures, you can ensure that they last as long as possible.

At Rafi Dental Group in Tustin, we not only provide dental services including dentures, but we also strive to educate our patients so that their daily habits keep their oral health in tip-top shape. Read on to learn more about how to properly care for your dentures.

After Eating

Ideally, you should remove and clean your dentures after eating. Food can get stuck under your appliance or create a film over the dentures that can become a ground for bacteria development. Cleaning your dentures after eating reduces the amount of time that food particles are sitting on the dentures, reduces bacteria, and prevents staining as well. If you are not able to fully clean the dentures after each meal, then we recommend removing and rinsing them off.

Oral Hygiene

Whether or not you have any natural teeth remaining, you should still practice daily oral hygiene. With your dentures removed, we recommend that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush or even gauze to clean the remaining teeth, tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. Even with missing teeth, the inside of your mouth can develop bacteria and plaque that can cause problems for your oral health as well as the condition of your dentures. Maintaining good oral hygiene is a crucial part of your denture care.

Brushing Your Dentures

Of course, daily cleaning is required to keep your dentures in good condition. Once removed, you should brush your dentures the way that you would brush your teeth. However, some adjustments should be made to avoid damaging the dentures. We recommend that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture cleaner. You may use denture cleaner or dish soap but should avoid toothpaste as it can be too abrasive for the denture appliance. Once cleaned, thoroughly rinse the dentures so there is no soap remaining.

Soaking Dentures Overnight

To extend the life of your dentures, it is important to soak them every night when you remove them for sleeping. You can soak the denture appliance in water or a mild denture-soaking solution. Never use hot water, as the heat can warp the dentures. The reason it is important to soak your dentures is that they must be kept moist to retain their shape. If you let your dentures dry out, you may find that they don’t quite fit as well the next day.

Regular Dentist Visits

One of the most important steps to caring for your dentures is to keep up with regular dentist appointments. Your dentist can help you assess not only the condition of your dentures but your oral health as well, and make adjustments as necessary. Keep your dentures in good condition and maintain good oral health by visiting your dentist every six months.

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Contact Rafi Dental Group Today

If you have dentures or are looking into getting an appliance, look no further than Rafi Dental Group in Tustin. Not only can we create dentures that look natural and fit comfortably, but we can also help you extend the life of your dentures by teaching you how to properly care for them. Visit your dentist regularly for adjustments and check-ups and you can rest assured that you are taking good care of not only your dentures but your oral health as well. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact Rafi Dental Group in Tustin today. We look forward to hearing from you!