Having dentures isn’t fun, and most people experience quite a bit of pain and soreness for at least a few weeks or months. Although these problems tend to go away, they can easily return in a heartbeat if you don’t take the time to properly care for your dentures. With this in mind, here are six simple ways to best take care of your dentures.

Thoroughly Clean Them Daily

Just because dentures aren’t your real teeth doesn’t mean that they don’t need the same level of treatment. In fact, you should be brushing and cleaning your dentures at least once a day the same as you would with natural teeth. Over time, plaque, bacteria, and leftover food particles can build up on your dentures if you don’t make sure to carefully clean them every day. The issue is that this plaque and bacteria can lead to infections, gum disease, and various other issues, which is why it is essential that you keep your dentures clean.
Generally speaking, you should brush your dentures once a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to use a different brush for your dentures than the one you use on your remaining teeth or gums. When brushing, it is best to use a mild-abrasive toothpaste, dental paste or other commercial denture cleaner.

Treat Them with Care

Dentures are both expensive and fragile, and this combination means that many people end up having to spend quite a bit of money on replacement dentures after accidentally breaking their original set. The fact that dentures break easily means it is always best to brush them over a sink-full of water or a towel to ensure they won’t break should you happen to drop them.
You should always avoid using harsh cleaners or hard-bristled brushes as these could also damage your dentures. In this sense, taking care of your dentures means making sure to handle them carefully to prevent them from breaking or otherwise being damaged. Nonetheless, if they do get damaged, you have plenty of options for finding replacement dentures in Nutley, NJ, or somewhere near you.

Give Your Mouth a Rest

Taking care of your dentures also involves taking care of your mouth. It is important that you give your mouth time to rest without the dentures in place. In fact, most dentists recommend leaving your dentures out for at least six to eight hours a day in order to allow the tissues in your mouth time to heal and recover.
This is precisely why most people take their dentures out at night, as this is the perfect time to give your mouth a break without having to suffer the embarrassment of facing the world without your teeth. Furthermore, there is evidence that sleeping in dentures increases your risk of certain health problems, which is yet another reason why you should take them out at night. While your dentures are out, you’ll want to soak them overnight to help remove stains and make them easier to clean.

Pay Attention to Your Remaining Teeth and Gums

If you only have partial dentures, it is essential that you take extra care of your remaining teeth. Otherwise, you may have to eventually have your partial dentures replaced if you lose any more of your natural teeth. Even if you have full dentures, it is still vital that you gently brush your gums every day to ensure your gums remain healthy and your dentures continue to fit properly.

Stay Alert for Any Changes in Fit

No matter how diligent you are about caring for your dentures, there will still come a time when they will need to be refit. Your gums and bones will slowly change over time, and this will eventually impact the way that your dentures fit. Improperly fitting dentures can quickly lead to pain, mouth sores, and numerous other issues that could limit your ability to continue to wear the dentures. Therefore, it is important that you pay attention to the way your dentures fit, and if you do notice a change in the fit, make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Whether you have partial or complete dentures, it is still important for you to visit your dentist at least once a year. Your dentist will be able to examine your dentures to ensure that they still fit properly. A dental check-up is important in helping to identify and treat any potential issues before they turn into something more serious. The benefits of a dental check-up can greatly benefit your oral hygiene and overall health—dentures or not.
Keeping your dentures clean and in good shape isn’t that difficult and doesn’t have to take that much time. All it takes is being diligent about removing your dentures at night, brushing them regularly, and making sure to follow any instructions your dentist gives you. The fact that these simple steps can help you avoid the expense and additional pain of replacement dentures means that everyone needs to take their denture care seriously.