Denture Care: How Does a Dentist Recommend Cleaning Dentures?

Denture care has to be one of the simplest things you can do for your smile. Dentures are a great way to replace missing teeth. They can be used for the upper or lower arch and made, so you don't have to worry about what your smile looks like. However, dentures need to receive proper care for them not to become stained and unsanitary. Your dentist will recommend how often they should be cleaned, but that may vary depending on the type of denture material used and habits such as smoking. Follow these guidelines from your dentist to take good care of your dentures.

Cleaning

Dentures should be cleaned at least once a week, but dentists recommend that those who wear dentures clean their dentures daily. If not properly taken care of, dentures may start to become stained by food and other substances. Cleaning your dentures is recommended because it will remove plaque and tartar buildup, and anything that may have transferred from your mouth to the denture.

Soaking

Your dentures should be washed with a denture cleaning product such as a denture polisher or denture cleanser. This can usually be found at any local drugstore. A denture cleanser is a paste that needs to be applied to the dentures and left on for 10 seconds before rinsing out with warm water, then dry with a towel or let air dry. A denture polisher can be used in place of a denture cleanser if you have a harder denture material such as acrylic dentures.

Bushing

You should always use a denture brush to scrub dentures after soaking to help loosen food particles and plaque that build on the denture. You should use a denture brush specifically designed for cleaning dentures, the same used if your dentures were cleaned manually by your dentist.

Rinsing

Rinsing dentures by letting tap water run through them can be an alternative to soaking with a denture cleanser or denture polisher if you don't have as much time. The denture should be put under running water and held there for approximately 6-10 seconds, then placed on a towel to dry.

Dry Time

Dentures should be left out to air dry completely before putting them back into your mouth. Moisture left in dentures can cause a bad odor, as well as dentures becoming unsanitary. If dentures become dry while you are not wearing them, placing them into a container filled with either cleanser or water will help keep dentures wet. It will prevent them from drying out or getting unsanitary.

Daily Routine

Maintaining a daily denture care routine will keep your dentures looking and feeling as good as new. Those who neglect denture care may find it more challenging to eat and speak properly due to dentures becoming uncomfortable or loose. Dentures are not meant for long-term wear, so denture care is especially important if dentures need to be worn regularly.

Additional Tips

Following the denture care steps that your dentist recommends can extend the life of dentures. Those who follow denture care instructions will have less trouble with their dentures moving or becoming loose in their mouth or dentures not fitting properly in their mouth.

Request an appointment here: https://familydentistrypeoria.com or call Peoria Family Dentistry at 623-552-4665 for an appointment in our Peoria office.

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