Cleaning Dentures
There are all sorts of denture cleaners on the market today. It really is a matter of personal choice which one you use. The biggest thing to remember is to use something that is not abrasive as the cleaner may scratch the surface of denture/partial teeth and make staining more likely. This includes cleaners and home remedies with “baking soda” in them.
Handle your denture, implant supported denture or partial denture with care. We suggest standing over a folded towel or sink of water to prevent them from breakage if you drop them.
Rinse your dentures after every meal
Brush your dentures daily to remove food and plaque. Brushing also helps prevent the development of stains. Use a soft bristled denture brush, and brush gently. Be careful not to damage the plastic or bend any attachments. A hard bristled brush, vigorous brushing and/or abrasive cleaners can damage or wear down dentures.
Clean your dentures with a denture cleaner. Household cleaners, and many types of toothpaste can be too abrasive for dentures and should not be used. Avoid solutions with bleach as these may lighten the pink portion of the denture and lessen its visual appeal.
Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to care for dentures. These cleaners are small bathtub type devices that contain a cleaning solution. The denture is immersed in the tub and sound waves create a wave motion that dislodges undesirable deposits. Use of an ultrasonic cleaner however does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape. When not worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water. However, if the denture has metal attachments, the attachments could tarnish if placed in a soaking solution. Never place your dentures in hot water, as that will cause them to warp. Check with Peter for any specific instruction that you need to follow regarding your oral appliance be it dentures, implants or partials.
All dentures implant supported dentures, and partials are designed to be removable and should be removed nightly to contribute to a healthy oral environment.
Annual Check Ups
We recommend an annual check up to make sure that your denture, implant supported denture, or partial denture are fitting and working at their optimum.
Your annual check up usually consists of the following:
- An update of your dental and medical history
- An intra oral examination
- Over time, your mouth goes through considerable changes. Tissue shrinkage and loss of underlying bone on which your dentures rest will occur over time. Since your dentures do not change, they may no longer fit you like they once did. At this time we also check the fit of your dentures
- We visually check the integrity of your denture – we look for cracks, chips, scratches, and worn or loose teeth. At the same time we evaluate the aesthetics, and stability of your bite. Worn out dentures can cause improper fit and bite, which can lead to other problems, like changes in your ability to eat, your speech, and your appearance
- A discussion of options available to you based on your needs including review of oral hygiene procedures and denture care
- We will also clean and polish your removable appliances if required
Every patient and every appointment is different. The focus of the annual visit is to catch things through visual inspection and dialogue with you to correct small concerns before they become problematic.
Relines
Sometimes all you need to make your denture look and feel better is a reline.
Relines consist of adding a new base material to the tissue side of your denture ensuring a snug fit. Relining affects only the fit of your denture and will not address the appearance of the denture.
Repairs
Whether you purchased from us, or somewhere else – We are happy to take a look at your broken denture, implant supported denture, or partial. If we are able to fix it – we will give you an estimate before we start the repair.
Replacing Dentures
On average, dentures should be replaced every five to seven years.
If you have one (or more) of the following:
- Food getting caught under your denture or partial
- Always have to use an adhesive
- Dentures fall when talking or laughing
- They look or feel worn out
We encourage you to visit us. Some issues can be solved with an adjustment or a reline; others can be a sign that you need replacement dentures. We are happy to take a look at your denture/partial or implant and give you our recommendations.