There are several ways that dentures are very different than the natural teeth they are replacing. This includes many aspects of denture care; cleaning and storage being two very important examples to carefully consider.
Learning how the common misconceptions and misunderstanding about denture care cleaning and storage can help to extend the life of your dentures and keep them looking bright and natural for years. It is also essential to prevent bacteria from developing in the dentures which can lead to bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth.
Cleaning
It is critical to understand that dentures, while they look like your real teeth, are not the same structurally and are actually softer and more porous than natural teeth. This means that there are more surface space and slight indentations in the surface where bacteria can thrive.
Simply rinsing and putting your dentures somewhere safe each night is not and effective denture care cleaning and storage routine. You need to brush your dentures with a special toothbrush known as a denture brush. It looks like a traditional toothbrush on one side and also has a round area of bristles on the top of the head to allow you to clean the underside of the dentures as well.
In addition use special denture toothpaste and brush twice a day, just as you would with your natural teeth. This brushing should be completed by first removing the dentures, brushing thoroughly, and rinsing them well before putting them back into your mouth. Specialized denture toothpastes will help to remove stains as well as tartar build-up that can occur.
Storage
If you do use soaking solutions as part of your denture care cleaning and storage routine talk to your dentist to see which brands are recommended. Use only as directed and never longer than recommended.
Remove your dentures at night and brush the gums with a soft tooth brush to remove any bacteria or other irritants, and fully brush the dentures. After cleaning store your dentures in as recommended by your dentist in a specialized denture storage case. Most dentures need to be kept in water or denture solutions when not in use. If you choose a denture care cleaning and storage case with a cover you don’t need to submerge the dentures as the humidity is trapped in the case to keep the dentures moist.
Using the correct denture care cleaning and storage practices will keep your dentures from becoming stained, warped and brittle. This extends the life of the dentures and keeps your smile looking great.
For more information on denture care cleaning and storage come in and see us. We can also be found online at website.
