Custom-made dentures can significantly improve your quality of life not only by enhancing the appearance of your smile but also by improving your ability to chew and speak. If you want your dentures to serve you for a long time, you need to take proper care of them. Please read our guide to storing dentures below. We will also talk about other rules you can follow to prolong the lifespan of your dentures.
Guide to Storing Dentures
Dentures should be properly cleaned and stored at night or other times when you are not wearing them. The steps of storing your dentures in the right way include:
- Prepare the surface for cleaning the dentures: cover the counter with a soft towel to prevent your dentures from breaking if you accidentally drop them while taking them out or cleaning.
- Soak your dentures in a special cleaning solution for at least 20 minutes. Such solutions are designed to remove bacteria, food debris, stains, and plaque from the surface of your dentures.
- Thoroughly but gently brush your dentures. Make sure not to use abrasive toothpaste or denture pastes because they can create micro scratches on the surface of your dentures. These scratches can easily trap food particles and bacteria, leading to staining and bad breath. Additionally, use only a soft-bristled brush. Always finish the cleaning routine by rinsing your dentures well.
- Put your dentures in a closed container filled with water or a denture cleaning solution to keep the dentures moist. You should never put your dentures in hot water, as the high temperature will warp and deform them.
- Keep the container with your dentures out of reach of children or pets to prevent choking and other injuries.
Other Denture Care Tips
Apart from storing your dentures the right way, follow this tip to keep them in good condition and avoid injuries:
Cleaning Tips
Rinse your dentures thoroughly after each meal to prevent debris build-up and bad breath.
If your dentures have stains or build-up of debris, try soaking them in a denture cleaning solution overnight.
If you can not remove the stains or build up on your own, bring your dentures to your dentist to give them a professional clean.
Comfort Tips
If you feel that your dentures are getting loose, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Loose dentures can cause significant discomfort when speaking and chewing. They can also start snapping out of place when eating, which can be painful and cause oral trauma. Regular denture maintenance (ideally once a year) can solve this problem. Your doctor will examine your bite and denture fit and suggest either realigning or rebasing the dentures.
Try using denture adhesive to increase the comfort of dentures.
Replace your dentures every 5 to 7 years. Unfortunately, the same set of dentures is not likely to serve you forever for two main reasons. Firstly, the materials your dentures are made of will naturally wear out with time. Secondly, when you do not have teeth, bone resorption occurs. It means that you start losing the density of your jawbone as the roots of your natural teeth no longer stimulate it. In consequence, your bite might change, and the initial set of dentures will no longer fit comfortably.
Eating with Dentures Tips
Remember that the biting force of dentures is weaker than that of your natural teeth. Dentures usually provide only about 20% of the natural bite force. Avoid very hard foods that require biting down or chewing with force. They can cause your dentures to slip, crack, or break.
Do not use your teeth as tools (for opening bottles, etc.) when wearing dentures to avoid breaking them and injuring your gums.
If you suffer from a condition commonly known as “dry mouth,” stay well hydrated throughout the day and avoid drying foods and drinks (alcohol, coffee, sweets, dry crackers, and bread, etc.) Also, try not to breathe through your mouth and use tobacco products. Additionally, you can try using a special mouthwash or saliva substitute product.
Make an Appointment Today
If you need a new set of custom-made dentures or need maintenance for your current ones, make an appointment at our office today. Denture specialists at Valley Alder will carefully examine your bite and the condition of your jaw bone and gums to create a perfect and comfortable set of dentures or adjust the existing ones. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our office.
