Avoiding Dirty Dentures: 3 Tips for Maintaining Your Restoration

Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. Not only might you feel self-conscious about wide spaces in your smile, but two complete arches are required to meet basic needs like eating and speaking. Gaps in your grin can potentially cause speech impediments or gastrointestinal issues from swallowing overly large pieces of food.

Thankfully, your dentist can provide lifelike dentures to rebuild your mouth’s appearance and functionality. However, you must care for your new teeth correctly to make the most of their many benefits. Continue reading for 3 tips to help preserve your restoration!

Tip #1: Rinse After Meals

Your new teeth restore a great deal of your original bite force so you can enjoy a variety of wholesome foods to support your oral and overall well-being. Unfortunately, germs, small pieces of leftover food, and other debris can become trapped in them during meals, which attracts unhealthy bacteria that contribute to periodontal problems.

You can keep your dentures clean and your breath fresh by rinsing them under lukewarm water after eating, because overly hot temperatures can warp the base so it no longer fits. Be sure to also rinse your mouth out so you don’t put your restoration back into a dirty environment.

Tip #2: Implement a Routine

The teeth on most dentures are made from resilient ceramic that reflects light like enamel and can be customized to match your natural hue. Plus, they’re less porous than enamel and aren’t made from the same organic material, so they don’t get cavities.

However, your dentures rely on a firm suction against the connective tissues over the bony ridges in your mouth to remain in place all day. This reduces the circulation, rendering your body less able to send essential nutrients and infection-fighting cells to your gums, which in turn increases the likelihood of periodontal problems. You can avoid this by removing them morning and night to wash them thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap that won’t abrade the surface.

Tip #3: Soak Them At Night

If you’ve had a long, exhausting day, you might feel tempted to drop into bed before removing your prosthetics. You might even think it’s okay to leave them in overnight because you’ll just clean them again in the morning anyway, but this isn’t usually recommended. If your gums don’t get a break from supporting your dentures, you could develop canker sores that make them uncomfortable to wear.

It’s best to take them out and leave them in a glass of room-temperature water or a special soaking solution to eradicate germs and maintain their shape overnight while you sleep.

Your dentist may provide additional instructions to maintain your dentures, and following them in detail is the best way to keep your recently restored smile in excellent condition!

Meet the Author

Dr. Stephen Wardlaw has nearly 30 years of experience helping people improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is an active member of several prestigious organizations, like the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. He provides a wide variety of services to patients of all ages so you and your family receive the same top-quality care. If your dentures are damaged or you need to replace missing teeth, you can request a consultation on the website or by calling (817) 572-5115.