Have you got your new denture? Don’t know what to do next?

Great, this article is for you because this is not the end of the treatment journey. It is essential to know your routine denture care to ensure comfort and safety during its use.

What Should You Expect To Feel After Getting Dentures?

• When you first get your denture, it’s normal to feel some discomfort and difficulty in having it in your mouth. However, after a short period of time, you will start to adjust and get used to it. This period differs from person to person, depending on their individual nature and how quickly they adapt to changes.
• As you begin using your denture, you may experience some soreness or irritation in certain areas. Don’t ignore these feelings; contact your dentist directly, as you may need some minor adjustments to relieve the pressure.
• In the beginning, it will be difficult for you to chew food with your dentures. Chewing with dentures feels quite different from chewing with normal teeth or gums. In time, you’ll get used to this feeling.
• Your dentist may recommend sticking to soft, non-crunchy, and non-sticky foods and avoiding hot food and drinks to prevent burns, as the denture can reduce your sensitivity to temperature.
• Difficulty in speaking when you first start using the denture is very common. Your dentist will guide you through some speech exercises that will help you improve your pronunciation. With time, you’ll adapt and start speaking naturally.

Why Do You Need To Care For Dentures?

By daily cleaning your dentures, you:

• Prevent the build-up of bacteria, fungi, and plaque on the dentures, which maintains your oral health and avoids infections, irritation, soreness, and bad odor.
• Make sure that the dentures remain in good condition by reducing the chances of discomfort or wear that could affect their fit and functionality. Preventing denture damage and extending its lifespan.
• Prevent food and drink stains from building up on the dentures, keeping them looking clean and natural.
• Simply prevent the need for complicated repairs or adjustments in the long term.

How To Properly Clean Your Denture

As we’ve mentioned, keeping your dentures clean is important to maintain good oral health and can significantly extend the life span of the denture.  The following are some easy instructions that can ensure that your dentures are cleaned properly.

• Rinsing your denture after every meal will help to remove any food particles that may get stuck to it, preventing bacteria from building up.
• Clean your dentures daily with a soft toothbrush or one designed for cleaning dentures. This will prevent scratching its surface.
• Clean your denture with a non-abrasive denture cleaner to avoid damaging it.
• Do not use regular toothpaste, because it can be too harsh and will damage the denture.
• Avoid using hot water to clean your denture, as high temperatures can damage the materials it is made from and may cause it to lose its shape.
• Soak the denture in water or an appropriate cleaning solution while not wearing it or before bed, thus helping to keep the denture moist and avoid drying out, since it may turn brittle or even lose its shape.
• Ensure that all surfaces of the denture are cleaned, including those that come into contact with the gums and palate, to remove food particles and bacteria. This will avoid irritation and bad odor.
• Check your denture regularly for cracks, breaks, and lost teeth. If any are found, immediately consult your dentist for repairs. Never attempt to fix the denture yourself, nor use any adhesives except those recommended specifically for dentures.

What Is The Best Denture Cleaner?

There are many types of denture cleansers, and choosing the right one depends on personal preference and need.Some requirements must be met at any cleanser:

1. It should have antibacterial properties to disinfect the denture and maintain your oral health.
2. It shouldn’t contain chemicals or abrasive substances, as that could affect the materials of the denture.
3. It should be easily accessible and readily available near you.

If you are looking for natural products, baking soda and vinegar are great options for gentle denture cleaning and odor removal. They are affordable and widely available.

The most common and suitable option for daily use is effervescent tablets. They are easy to use, have antibacterial effects, and are effective at removing stains. You simply dissolve them in water and soak the denture overnight. A soft brush can also be used to clean the denture with them.

If your goal is deep cleaning, then ultrasonic cleaners are the ideal choice. They disinfect and thoroughly clean dentures without the use of any chemicals.

If you are unsure about which type of cleanser is best for you, consult your dentist directly to help you determine the most suitable option.

How do you Maintain Your Oral Health Alongside Dentures?

Having a denture doesn’t mean you can neglect your oral health. Taking care of your gums and any remaining natural teeth (if you have some) is just as important as taking care of your dentures.

• Every day, you need to clean your gums, palate, and tongue, using a soft toothbrush, to remove any food particles or plaque from your oral cavity. That will help you avoid irritation or damage to your sensitive gum tissue.
• If you still have natural teeth, you have to take good care of them. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are mandatory in your case. This will prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• You should schedule regular check-up visits with your dentist to ensure that both your denture and oral health are in good condition and to make adjustments if needed.
• Eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water are both very important for your oral health. A balanced diet can support both your natural teeth and the gum tissue that supports your denture. Keeping hydrated prevents dry mouth and stimulates saliva production, which is essential for maintaining oral health.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol generally affect your health. Engaging in these harmful habits while wearing dentures can affect the health of your gums and the longevity of your dentures.

Eating Instructions while using a denture

The main function of dentures is to restore your ability to chew food. However, when you are using a denture, you must follow certain instructions while eating.

• When you first get a denture, it will take some time to adjust to eating with it. You have to start with soft foods that are easy to chew, and gradually transition to more solid foods.
• To make chewing easier and to avoid discomfort or displacement of the denture while eating, cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces.
• While using a denture, especially a complete denture, chewing sticky or hard foods, such as gum or hard candies, is prohibited, as they can cause the denture to break or become dislodged.
• Avoid using the front teeth of your dentures to bite into hard foods, such as corn or apples, as this will cause them to shift out of place. You can slice them into small portions and chew using both sides of your mouth. This will help maintain balance and stability for your denture during chewing and prevent putting too much pressure on one side.
• Dentures affect your sensitivity to temperature, so avoid hot food or drinks to prevent burns.

Denture Adhesives 

As mentioned in the Dentures article, in the case of partial dentures, stability and retention mainly come from the clasps attached to the remaining natural teeth, and that makes the denture stable and well-fitted.

However, in the case of complete dentures, retention depends on the suction effect between the denture surface and the gums or the palate. Several factors can affect this method of retention, and in some cases, it may not be enough to keep the denture in place. But don’t worry, there is a solution to this concern. 

Using denture adhesives in such cases can help improve stability and retention, making the denture more secure while performing its functions. This will increase your confidence when using it and give you peace of mind throughout the day. So, choosing the right denture adhesive is an essential part of your denture care. Read more about how to choose the best denture adhesive for you, their types, when to use them, and their contraindications.

How Often Should You Go To The Dentist When You Have Dentures?

Once you have a denture, it is very important to schedule regular check-up visits at least every 6 months to ensure both your oral health and denture fit.

During these visits, your dentist will examine your gums, your ridges, and any remaining natural teeth to make sure they are all in good condition so they can detect early signs of oral health problems such as gum disease, infection, or tooth decay. They are also going to check your denture to make sure it is still well fitted in your mouth, as your mouth may change over time, and that may affect denture comfort and stability. If needed, your dentist will make adjustments to accommodate the changes that have occurred, either in the oral cavity or in the denture.

Denture Care Frequently Asked Questions