Have you recently purchased some dentures and are curious how to best care for them at home? You’re in the right place! Many people turn to dentures at some point in their lives to fix their smiles if they have missing or rotting teeth. Because dentures can be a costly investment, it is important to make sure you properly care for them to ensure they last a long time. Like any specialized tool, dentures require ongoing care to ensure they last a long time and do not need replacing, which is expensive.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are a type of orthodontic oral appliance that is removable, customizable, and typically fits in the upper mouth, jaw, or sometimes both. They might be full dentures of all of the teeth, both upper and lower parts of the mouth, or partial dentures to replace only a few missing teeth. At some point in everyone’s life, most people will need a tooth extracted. If the tooth is in the back of the mouth, such as a molar, it might not be necessary to replace it with an oral appliance. However, if it is the front teeth, most people are self-conscious about their missing teeth and turn to either dentures or dental implants.

Storing Dentures

Most people who use removable dentures have them placed in the mouth during their waking hours, particularly when they are eating a meal or leaving the house. However, it's advisable to remove your dentures to clean them and allow your mouth to rest. The majority remove them at night and store them in a container. Prior to the introduction of containers specifically to store dentures, some people simply dropped them in a glass of water overnight. This is not recommended, as glasses are not built to the correct shape or size for dentures and might end up causing damage. Dentures should indeed remain moist, but there are better ways to do this. Denture containers are the best method of storage.

Before storing your dentures, you should clean them daily, just like you would your regular teeth. Dentures, like natural teeth, can still build up plaque and bacteria, which can damage any existing teeth or cause gum disease. You can brush them with a regular toothbrush, a denture cleaner, or mild soap. You should not use toothpaste or electric toothbrushes on your dentures, as these can damage them. Thoroughly rinse them off and store them in a denture-specific container. Additionally, you should clean your gums and mouth. Your denture container will allow you to submerge them in warm water to keep them from drying out and becoming deformed. You can use water or a denture soaking solution. This tends to not tarnish any metal components.

Necessary Home Supplies

Like any mechanical object, your dentures might suffer some damage or break during use. A qualified specialist should always thoroughly repair your dentures, but you can care for them in the interim with a few items you can keep at home. You should avoid letting your dentures dry out, as they can become painful to wear or break. Dentures must be pliable in order to work properly, and dry dentures might become brittle and more susceptible to damage. If they have only been out for a few hours, you can put them back in your mouth. However, if they have been out for a long time, soak them in a solution or water for 24 hours to rehydrate them fully. You should always have on hand at home either some specialized denture solution or any other type of cleaner that is safe to use on dentures, such as hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and lemon juice. Some people use denture adhesive to keep their dentures in their mouths, but you should avoid overusing this product and thoroughly clean your dentures before storing them. Never soak your dentures in mouthwash or any other unapproved solution.

Here are some necessary items you should have at home to care for your dentures:

• Denture container

• Denture cleaning solution

• Denture repair kit

• Denture cleaning brush

• Denture adhesive

When you properly store and care for your dentures at home, they are sure to last a long time. Dentures are a costly investment, but worth it to improve your smile. Be sure to store and hydrate your dentures properly, as this helps to avoid unnecessary damage or the need for replacement.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Sugar Creek Dental