Caring for Your Dentures, Made Simple

The day you get dentures is an exciting moment in your life. Whether you’ve lost some teeth in an accident or from wear and tear, your dentures fill the gaps in your smile. They make it easier to eat, speak, and maintain proper dental hygiene.

As your trusted denturist in Winnipeg, we love helping our customers regain their health and confidence with a new set of dentures. It’s the best part of our job.

To help as many people as possible, we offer a full range of services, including full or partial dentures, flexible or permanent dentures, and implants.

As you can see, dentures come in all shapes and sizes, and we make sure your set fits your needs perfectly.

Whatever that means, your new dentures are just like the teeth you were born with — they need daily care to look and feel their best.

How to Care for Your New Dentures

Life — before and after dentures — will be like night and day. When you get down to it, dentures provide a happy life. After we resolve issues resulting from damage, decay, or disease, you’ll go from hiding your smile to showing off your pearly whites every chance that you get.

You’ll also have to get used to a new routine that ensures your dentures last longer and fit properly. As the top denture clinic Winnipeg has to offer, Koster Denture Clinic is here to help with that transition.

Here are eight top tips to care for your dentures.

1. Be Gentle

At first, removing your dentures may feel unusual, but it comes with practice. Soon enough, you won’t think twice about inserting or removing your dentures every day.

However, while you’re first getting used to it, make sure you handle them carefully. They may be easy to fumble at first, and they can break when they meet tile or hardwood floor.

Damaging your dentures is frustrating but fixable. Here at Koster Denture Clinic, our dental services for your dentures include same-day repairs and adjustments, and we always welcome walk-in appointments.

2. Rinse and Brush Your Dentures Daily

Plaque and tartar can build up on dentures, just like natural teeth. That’s why it’s important to rinse and brush your dentures at least once a day. This habit will help remove food and plaque, and it will keep unsightly stains at bay.

While cleaning your dentures, consider putting a hand towel at the bottom of your sink. That way, if you drop your dentures, your towel will cushion their fall and potentially prevent damages.

Check out these 4 oral care mistakes to avoid for more tips on cleaning your dentures properly.

3. Don’t Use Regular Toothpaste

We recommend using a denture cleanser with a soft-bristled brush for your cleaning routine.

Traditional toothpaste used on natural teeth isn’t designed with your dentures in mind. They may contain abrasives that can cause microscopic damage in the dentures.

Although you may not see them, these little scratches are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that can cause bad breath.

4. Brush Your Natural Teeth as Usual

Remember to brush your natural teeth, as well as any implants, as you normally would. A twice-a-day habit manages plaque buildup and fights against gum disease.

A gentle touch is all that’s needed, according to the Canadian Dental Association. Place your soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle at your gum line and brush using short, circular strokes. This technique will help reduce gum irritation.  

Any gum inflammation may interfere with your dentures’ fit, so maintaining your oral health will ensure that your dentures stay in place.

5. Floss Gently

Flossing is a fantastic habit to get into — whether or not you have dentures. Dental floss gets between teeth and other hard-to-reach areas that you miss with a brush, removing plaque that may lead to cavities and gum disease.

When you’re flossing around permanent dentures or implants, take care. Just like brushing, you don’t want to irritate your gums. Although this inflammation may only be temporary, it may affect how well your dentures fit.

6. Remove Them When You Sleep

If your dentures aren’t permanent — meaning they’re full or partial pieces that you can remove — take them out at night. Removing your dentures gives your mouth and jaw a break while you rest.

7. Keep Them Moist

Whenever you can’t wear your dentures, you should keep them in a glass of cleaning solution or warm (but not hot) water.

Soaking your dentures comes with many benefits. For one, it keeps your dentures in the right shape. For another, it keeps them clean and free of plaque.

Cleaning solutions are not always the best option for your kind of denture, so before you plop your set into anything but water, check with us. We’ll advise you on the best way to soak your dentures that won’t inadvertently damage them.

If a cleaning solution is the best option, always remember to rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth. These solutions contain chemicals that may be harmful, and you don’t want to accidentally ingest them.

8.  Keep in Touch

A regular checkup will ensure you’re on the right track with your dental hygiene routine.

These appointments are more than just an opportunity for us to say hello and check-in with our customers. Your appointment gives us a chance to thoroughly examine your mouth and your dentures to make sure they’re working as they should.

We can also address any issues that may be causing slippage or discomfort.

Your mouth changes over the years, so it’s natural to have your dentures refitted, relined, or remade as you age. As the top denturist Winnipeg has to offer, we’ll advise you on the best way to solve any issues you may have with your dentures.

And that’s it! Pretty simple, right? Taking care of your oral health with dentures will become second nature soon enough, but don’t worry if you have any questions in the meantime. Get in touch or book an appointment today. We’re always happy to help!