Cleaning & Storing Your Removable Dentures
Knowing how to properly care for your removable full or partial denture is important to ensure a long-lasting denture and to help maintain good oral health. When removing your dentures each night for cleaning, you always want to handle them gently and do your best to avoid dropping them. You can also stand over a bath mat, towel, or full sink of water for safety, in case you do drop them.
To clean your partial or full denture, Dr. Hobbs recommends some simple tips to follow to ensure they remain fresh.
- Brush and rinse your dentures daily, as well as after eating, with a soft-bristled brush and water– not toothpaste.
- Use a denture cleaner, hand soap, or mild dishwashing liquid to remove bacteria and debris from your dentures.
- Store your dentures in a moist cleansing solution or water when you’re not wearing them so they don’t dry out or lose their shape.
- Remember to rinse your dentures thoroughly in cool water before putting them back in your mouth to avoid consuming harmful chemicals.
Caring for Your Implant-Supported Dentures
If your dentures are secured with dental implants, then your oral care routine will be a bit different than with your traditional dentures. Since implant dentures are fastened with attachments to your implants, you’ll need to carefully clean around each attachment in addition to your denture.
You will also need to use a soft-bristled brush to clean your gums, tongue, palate, and each implant post. Keeping up with an adequate oral hygiene routine will ensure your implants last a lifetime. Along with a soft-bristled toothbrush, you should use toothpaste with non-abrasive ingredients, floss made for implants, and mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol.
It’s also important to know that the attachments on your dentures which connect to your dental implants will generally need to be replaced by Dr. Hobbs every six to 12 months. Over time, they will eventually wear off due to their nylon material and can loosen from your implants.
