ADVICE AND TIPS ON CARING FOR YOUR DENTURES

Many of our patients at Boulder Dental Designs have benefited from complete and partial dentures. Dentures enhance your appearance if you have one or more missing teeth, they can also improve your oral health. However, choosing dentures does come with an enormous responsibility to care for them correctly. 

ADVICE AND TIPS ON CARING FOR YOUR DENTURES

The following are some tips on caring for your new dentures correctly to have the most extended life possible.

Consult a Professional. Only your dental professional is qualified to diagnose your oral health and adjust your denture or partial. It would help if you always used a dental professional, such as the dentists at Boulder Dental Designs, to diagnose your need for dentures. 

Toothbrush. Dentures should be brushed inside and outside daily with a soft, giant nylon denture toothbrush with round-ended bristles. Do not use a medium or hard bristle toothbrush as this could cause damage to the denture. Patients with partial dentures should have two toothbrushes, one for their natural teeth and one for their dentures. 

Denture Creams. Use denture creams instead of toothpaste. Regular toothpaste has low-abrasive qualities to remove plaque and debris from your teeth. However, the low-abrasive quality is too aggressive for the soft acrylic of the denture and will scratch the surface. 

Rinse in Cold Water. Remember always to rinse your dentures in cold water. Dentures warp if placed in hot water.

Inspect Your Dentures. Dentures can be subject to wear and tear. It is essential to inspect your denture regularly for worn teeth. If you notice one or more worn teeth on your dentures, you should call Boulder Dental Designs right away for an appointment. 

Keep Your Regular Denture Appointments. Worn and stained dentures can make you look older and cause your dentures to function poorly. During regular denture appointments, our dentists will inspect the state of your dentures and recommend restorations if needed. 

Discuss your Medications. Discuss all your current medications with your doctor and dental professional. Certain medications can make your mouth more likely to dry out, leading to less saliva to keep your dentures wet. This could lead to cracking and breaking of the dentures. Make sure to keep your dentist informed about all the medications you take. 

Call If Something Is Wrong. Call our office if you experience soreness in your gums or feel that your dentures may not fit correctly. It is essential to have loose dentures checked immediately as they can cause friction and pressure on the gum tissues and bones.

Don’t Let the Dentures Dry Out. When not in use, cover dentures with water or a denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out. The acrylic in the dentures may crack if they become too dry. 

Replace Your Dentures as Needed. Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for new dentures every five years. Keep your regular denture appointments and replace your dentures as needed. 

How to Care for Your Dentures Everyday

As mentioned above, specific steps are required to keep your dentures working well. Each day you should thoroughly wash your dentures. Before bed:

1. Remove your dentures and rinse them under cold, not hot, running water.
2. Brush them with a soft-bristle toothbrush. You can use denture cream if you would like, but You should not use regular toothpaste on the dentures.
3. Ensure your brush the entire denture surface to remove denture glue, plaque, and debris.
4. Place your dentures in a glass of water overnight. You can add a denture solution to the water if you would like.

At Boulder Dental Designs, we do not recommend that you wear your dentures overnight. Removing your dentures at night gives your gums a chance to rest. Follow these steps to ensure a long life span for your dentures. 

Dentures are a great addition to a dental care plan for many patients. At Boulder Dental Designs, Dr. Montoya and Dr. Lai recommend that patients care for their dentures daily to help prevent damage to them. For more information about denture care or to schedule an appointment, call our office.