If you wear dentures, then you likely understand the importance of caring for and cleaning them. Following proper maintenance can be difficult if you are not sure what you should be doing. Knowing proper techniques and what solutions to use requires some learning. To help answer any questions you may have, Dr Douglas Chang at Dentaworks Hawaii in Honolulu is happy to offer some tips below. 

How to Care for Your Dentures

• Handle dentures with great care. To avoid accidentally dropping them, stand over a folded towel or a full sink of water when handling them.
• Brush and rinse dentures daily, but not with toothpaste. Toothpaste is abrasive and creates microscopic scratches where food and plaque can build up. Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food and plaque. Brushing also helps prevent the development of permanent stains on the dentures. Use a brush with soft bristles that is specifically designed for cleaning dentures. Avoid using a hard-bristled brush as it can damage or wear down dentures. Gently brush all surfaces of the denture and be careful not to damage the plastic or bend attachments. In between brushings, rinse dentures after every meal.
• Clean with a denture cleaner. Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid can be used for cleaning dentures. Household cleansers and many toothpaste may be too abrasive for dentures and should not be used. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture. Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to care for dentures. These cleaners are small bathtub-like devices that contain a cleaning solution. The denture is immersed in the tub and then sound waves create a wave motion that dislodges the undesirable deposits. Use of an ultrasonic cleaner, however, does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
• Take proper care of dentures when not wearing them. 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. We can recommend the best methods for caring for your particular denture. Dentures should never be placed in hot water, which can cause them to warp.

Can I Adjust or Repair Dentures?

One or more follow-up appointments are generally needed soon after receiving dentures for any necessary adjustments. Never attempt to adjust or repair dentures yourself. Never bend any part of the clasp or metal attachments yourself; doing so can weaken the metal structure. "Do-it-yourself" repair kits can permanently damage dentures, and over-the-counter glues may contain harmful chemicals.

Dentures that don't fit properly can cause irritation and sores in the mouth and gums. Be sure to contact Dr Douglas Chang at Dentaworks Hawaii if a denture breaks, cracks, or chips or if one of the teeth becomes loose. Oftentimes, we can make the necessary adjustment or repair the same day. For some complicated repairs, we may need to send your denture to a special dental lab.

Will My Dentures Need to Be Replaced?

Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear and natural age-related changes to the face, jaw bones, and gums or if the dentures become loose. Generally, complete dentures should be used for 5 to 7 years before a replacement is necessary.

How Should I Care for My Mouth and Gums if I Have Dentures?

Even with full dentures, it is important to brush your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristled brush every morning before putting the dentures in. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture's metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay. If you wear a partial denture, be sure to remove it before brushing natural teeth.  Rinsing your mouth daily with lukewarm salt water will help clean the gums. 

 Regular dental visits are important so that your dentures and your mouth can be examined to ensure proper denture fit, to look for signs of oral diseases including cancer, and to have teeth professionally cleaned.

When you are in need of dentures, dental implants, or teeth whitening, the experts at Dentaworks Hawaii are prepared to help. Should you have more questions, We have the professional knowledge to provide you with comprehensive guidance. Feel free to give us a call at (808) 528-1200 or visit us online.