5 Helpful Tips for Taking Care of Dentures

The average lifespan of dentures is around 7 to 10 years. However, your own prosthesis could potentially last shorter or longer than that depending on the care you give it. If you want your dentures to last as long as possible, then it’s important to make sure that you’re following all the right steps for maintaining them. Below are 5 tips for denture care that are worth keeping in mind.

1. Always Rinse Your Dentures When You’re Done Eating

After a meal, small bits of food debris will be left behind on your dentures. If said debris is left alone, it could lead to all sorts of problems, such as gum irritation or bad breath. Thus, as soon as you’re done eating, you should take the time to thoroughly rinse off your dentures to ensure that they’re as clean as possible.

2. Take Precautions to Avoid Breaking Your Dentures

While dentures are durable enough to potentially last for many years, they can break if they’re not handled with care. You should therefore take whatever steps you can to lower the chances of damaging your prosthesis by accident. For example, when you take your dentures out to clean them, you can put a towel on the counter or fill the sink with water. That way, your dentures won’t land on a hard surface if you happen to drop them.

3. Brush Your Dentures Regularly, But Don’t Use Toothpaste

At least once a day, you should brush your dentures thoroughly to prevent the buildup of plaque and other potentially harmful deposits. However, you should not use toothpaste to do so, as it’s abrasive enough to leave scratches on your replacement teeth. It’s better to use a denture cleanser or a similarly gentle type of cleaning product.

4. Always Leave Your Dentures Soaking Overnight

Wearing dentures 24/7 can lead to all kinds of problems (not the least of which is an increased risk for pneumonia), so it’s important to always take your prosthesis out before you go to bed. When you do, you should leave them immersed in a special denture soaking solution. This will help them stay moist overnight so that they don’t lose their shape.

5. If Your Dentures are Loose, Call Your Dentist

While you might think that you can learn to live with loose dentures, leaving them alone can lead to gum irritation and painful sores. As such, it’s best to call your dentist as soon as possible if it seems like your dentures no longer fit properly. Depending on the situation, your prosthesis may be relined or replaced entirely.

Are you not sure whether you’re giving your dentures the right kind of care? Feel free to speak to your dentist at your next appointment to see if they have any recommendations.

About the Practice

At Frandsen Dental of Grantsville, our passionate dental experts take a comprehensive approach to care, being able to complete almost all services in-house so that our patients are less likely to need the help of an outside specialist. We provide lifelike dentures made out of high-quality materials in order to replace multiple teeth at once. To schedule a consultation at Frandsen Dental of Grantsville, visit our website or call (435) 884-3002.