How to Clean and Maintain Your Dentures

Dentures are the prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth. They\’re supported in the mouth by the soft and hard tissues found in the oral cavity. Modern dentures are removable; however, you can also wear clasping or bonding teeth or dental implants that fit comfortably and snug inside the mouth.

The purpose of any set of dentures is to increase your self-confidence and help you feel your best. If you have missing teeth, you’ll know how devastating that can be. You may be ashamed of your toothless smile and hide from photos or keep your mouth closed. You may also find it uncomfortable or even painful to chew and digest food without teeth. Many people don’t fully understand the detriment that having missing teeth can cause on a person. When something affects your look and how others perceive you, it can negatively affect your self-esteem, and you deserve better than that.

We’re Koster Denture Clinic, a state-of-the-art Winnipeg dentures clinic aiming to improve patients’ lives with our expertise and oral health services. Over 50 years ago, the Koster family committed to giving Manitobans the most compassionate dental experience. We place patients\’ well-being and comfort at the very top of our priority list and aim to deliver customized experiences with every visit. And above all else, we promise to enhance your smile and physical appearance with our modern denture care.

Whether you already have dentures, are thinking about getting them, or know someone who has them, you probably have many questions. Many of our patients ask us how they can provide long-lasting care and maintenance to their new dentures or implants at home and how to avoid common oral health care mistakes when it comes to their new teeth. Some people forget that just because your new teeth are technically artificial doesn’t mean that they don’t require the same amount of tender loving care you\’d give to natural teeth.

When patients ask for tips on how to clean their new pearly whites, here’s what we like to tell them.

Why You Should Clean Your Dentures

Plaque and tartar (the sticky films that attach to your teeth after eating and drinking) build up on dentures the same way they do on natural teeth. If you don\’t clean your dentures daily, they\’ll start to deteriorate. Bacteria will also begin to grow and strengthen, causing your dentures to weaken and smell bad.

What’s the Most Effective Way to Maintain and Clean Dentures?

When caring for your dentures, it’s critical to develop a morning or nightly routine, much like you would do with natural teeth. If you don’t clean your dentures at least once a day (morning or night), you’re putting yourself at risk of developing bad breath, gum disease, and ruining your brand new set of teeth.

Daily cleanings are essential to your dentures\’ longevity, and it\’s a straightforward process.

Regular Brushing

When you speak with one of our dentures specialists at Koster Denture Clinic, you\’ll quickly realize that having artificial teeth isn\’t that much different from having natural teeth. After receiving your new set of dentures, you may have felt excited about never having to brush your teeth before bed again. However, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you\’re not done with that toothbrush just yet!

The only difference this time is that you can look forward to maintaining excellent denture health and keeping them for a long time to come.

Credit: Anna Shvets via Pexels

You’ll need:

·         A Soft-bristled Toothbrush

·         Water

·         A Soft Towel

Always use a soft brush to clean your teeth because it will be much more gentle than a regular or electric toothbrush. There\’s also something called a denture brush — a toothbrush made exclusively for cleaning dentures. It is a little bigger than a standard-sized toothbrush. It also has two different brush heads for more efficient cleaning, bristles designed appropriately to fit flush with dentures, and an ergonomically designed handle.

Brushing With Water

Avoid the use of conventional toothpaste because the harsh ingredients could potentially harm your dentures. It’s best to brush your teeth using water only, although some people use mild dish soap as a cleaning agent. If you use denture adhesive, clean the grooves that fit against your gums to get any remnants out of your mouth. You\’ll need a soft towel to place on your sink as you brush the removable teeth, in case they accidentally slip from your hand. If they do fall, they\’ll land softly on the towel and won\’t break.

While brushing them with water once or twice a day will eliminate any leftover food particles, you\’ll also need something that will give your dentures a deep clean.

A Cleaning Solution

Your best bet is to purchase a high-quality denture solution. Denture cleaning solutions are typically sold as tablets that dissolve in water. The first step is to fill a designated glass or denture container with the appropriate amount of water (look for the instructions listed on the solution packaging) and tablet. As that dissolves, you can remove your teeth from your mouth, brush them, and then gently place them in the container or glass to soak.

You can find overnight solutions that will clean your teeth overnight, and you can also find products that will clean your dentures within a matter of minutes. Always remember to rinse off your dentures before you put them back in your mouth.

Cleaning Your Dental Implants

In Winnipeg dental implants are also a popular and effective method to replace missing teeth. In addition to our standard denture services, we also provide patients with this valuable and progressive option at Koster Denture Clinic. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are surgically secured inside your mouth, interfacing with the bone of the jaw or skull. They secure a strong foundation for removable or permanent replacement teeth, and we always ensure that they perfectly match your natural teeth.

Maintaining your dental implants doesn\’t require any special instructions. You can brush, floss, and use the same mouthwash you would use with natural teeth. However, we suggest sticking with a soft-bristled brush and a low-abrasive toothpaste to prevent any damage to the replacement teeth.

At Koster Denture Clinic, we want you to look and feel your best. We\’ll make sure that you know how to maintain your new teeth at home, and we\’ll provide you with all of the tricks of the trade. You\’re going to feel amazing, and we want that feeling to be long-lasting.