If you have a denture (removable false teeth), it is extremely important that you keep it clean. Dirty dentures will cause decay in the remaining teeth and fungal infections in the areas underneath the plate so good hygiene is ever so important.
But how should you care for your denture? Well, it needs to be brushed twice a day, like you teeth. Get a separate soft bristled brush and clean the denture in soapy water. You need to get any visible plaque build up off the denture before it hardens to become tartar. If your denture gets covered in rubbish, you’re really not going to want to wear it.
So give it a brush twice a day with a soft brush and soapy water. Don’t use toothpaste on it because the toothpaste is abrasive and may damage the plastic teeth.
If possible, give it a rinse after meals. If you’re out and about, this may not be possible but do it when you can.
Your denture should be left out over night. This gives the areas covered by the denture a chance to breath. If you wear your denture overnight, you are running the risk of fungal infections under the denture where your mouth gets very red and sore.
When you leave your denture out, you can just leave it in a safe place. Some people like to use denture cleaning soaks for their denture. My opinion is that you don’t necessarily have to use a soak as long as you are getting your denture clean with brushing and leaving it out while you sleep. If you want to use a soak for your denture, please read the back of the packet to find out what type of denture it is meant for. Some denture soaks will corrode and damage metal dentures.
The final thing to say about care for your denture is that you need to remember to keep caring for your teeth and cleaning them as well. A denture will act to trap food and plaque and hold these things up against your teeth. If you have food and plaque held against your teeth during the day, you are going to be much more prone to getting decay and problems with the remaining teeth. It is vital that you do your best to continue to look after the natural teeth to avoid loosing them.
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