Although your durable, lifelike new dentures were designed to look and feel just like real teeth, they still require special care to keep them looking and working their best. Sometimes, patients are confused about why they need to completely remove their prosthetics to clean them after each meal. Here’s the answer, along with some other best practices to keep them in great shape for as long as possible!
Why Do I Need to Remove My Dentures to Clean Them?
Caring for your new dentures may seem complex at first, but it’s really quite easy once you get the hang of it. The most important detail to remember is that while it may seem like an extra step, it is very important that you remove your restorations completely after each meal to brush and floss them. This will ensure you are able to clean the entire prosthetic and avoid permanent damage from stains, odors, and changes to their shape.
Although it is still okay to give them a quick brush while still in your mouth if your breath smells bad between meals, if you’ve eaten anything at all the best way to maintain them is to take them out for cleaning. Here’s how to do it right:
- Before starting, be sure to line your sink with a towel or fill the basin with water in case you accidentally drop them.
- Then, carefully remove your restorations from your mouth and rinse them with water.
- Next, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and either unscented hand wash or denture cleanser, clean every surface of the prosthetic and rinse it well.
- Using regular dental floss, floss between each tooth, and then rinse well again.
- If you’ll be wearing your dentures again immediately, you can now return them to your mouth. Otherwise, gently submerge them in a glass of water or denture soak until you’re ready to put them on again.
Caring for Your Dentures
Now that you know how to clean your dentures correctly, it’s important to understand how to care for them during use:
- Never use your restorations to chew anything other than food. This means no tearing packaging, biting fingernails, or gnawing on pen caps in moments of stress.
- Be careful with the food you eat. While your dentures were designed to withstand a full diet, certain items like ice cubes, hard candies, and crusty breads may be difficult to manage and should be avoided.
Remember, although your dentures may look and feel like your real teeth, they need to be cared for a little differently, so they last as long as possible. Thus, be sure to remove them for regular brushing and flossing and never sleep in them or use them for chewing anything but food, and you’ll have a beautiful, healthy-looking grin for years to come!
About Our Practice
At Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics, our talented team of dentists wants to help bring back your beautiful smile with the help of durable, lifelike dentures! To learn more about these incredible restorations and see if they’re right for you, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling 972-393-7348.