How to clean your dentures

Dentures can be broken whilst being cleaned- it is so easy to prevent this from happening. When cleaning your dentures, place a towel or face washer in the basin so that if the denture slips from your hand, the towel will cushion the fall. Dentures should never be cleaned in the shower.

The lower denture is fragile and should not be held in the palm of the hand as you could break it if you squeeze it too hard. Hold it with two fingers and the thumb.

Cleaning the denture with bleach can cause discolouring and unnatural looking teeth. Some stains may require professional cleaning. Abrasive cleaners and hard brushes can also cause unnecessary wear and tear on the plastic base resulting in the dentures becoming loose.

Your Dental Prosthetist is the best person to advise you cleaning and maintaining your dentures.

What you can expect your new denture?

Artificial teeth are, at best, a substitute for healthy, natural teeth. If you have unfortunately lost some or all of your teeth, then a partial or full denture enables you to maintain a pleasing facial appearance, and will, in most cases satisfactorily assist you to chew your food.

At first you may find some difficulty getting used to dentures and initially have difficulty chewing some types of food. In time, you will overcome this and adjust to your new dentures.

With a lower denture there is a tendency at first for the tongue and lower jaw muscles to displace it. This can be prevented by implants being surgically placed in the lower jaw. Your Dental Prosthetist will advise you about this procedure.

Immediate Dentures 

Immediate dentures are inserted at the time of extraction of natural teeth and are sometimes classified as a temporary denture. The immediate denture will need adjustment and a temporary lining during the initial shrinkage of the gums. This may need doing several times before the final remodelling of your new denture.

However, some patients believe that they can wear these dentures without any further adjustment.

It cannot be stressed too strongly, that irreparable damage can be caused if the dentures are not remodelled/relined after initial gum shrinkage which usually occurs between three and six months.

Problems associated with poorly fitting dentures

Sometimes, when too much shrinkage occurs in the gums supporting your dentures, or dentures are worn down, the lower jaw can move out of its proper relationship with the upper jaw. This can sometimes lead to a number of problems.

Other symptoms which may occur include:

Cracked and continually sore corners of the mouth

A dull pain in, or about the ear 

Impaired hearing 

A stuffy or stopping sensation in the ears, continuous, or with intervals of improvement

A clicking or snapping noise when chewing 

Mild or severe dizziness

Headache 

A burning sensation in the throat, tongue, and side of the nose.

When dentures are first inserted they fit the gums snugly. But as the gums shrink, may people unwisely resort to adhesive and self-liners from the pharmacy. These do-it-yourself kits can result in a rapid breakdown of the gums and can lead to complications. There is no substitute for a well fitting denture, and to make sure you have no problems, always have yours checked regularly by your Dental Prosthetist.

How long should dentures last?

You should never consider your first set of dentures as your last. Many people believe their dentures should last forever, but this not so. Generally a denture should be reviewed every two years for remodelling/relining or replacement.

Apart from being worn down by continual use, the supporting tissue is actually changing. Even when your dentures feel quite comfortable, they should be inspected regularly to ensure no permanent damage is being done to the mouth.

If ever a sore or growth is discovered, you should immediately seek advice. These areas may be quite harmless and may only require minor adjustment to the denture, but only a professional can evaluate and rectify the situation.

Should dentures be worn overnight?

This is totally your choice but it is recommended that you leave your dentures out at night, if you find that your jaws or the muscles of your face ache but over closing your jaws without the dentures- leave them in – on the other hand, if you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep- take them out as it will reduce the breakdown of your gums.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures should be left out at night.

Partial dentures need as much attention as full dentures; usually more. The fit, care and hygiene of partial dentures are very important to your remaining teeth. Partial dentures can trap food which will cause decay in your natural teeth. You should always remove your denture after eating and brush them and your own teeth well, if the partial denture is a poor fit, it can severely damage the gums supporting your natural teeth. A poor fit can cause bleeding, soreness and swelling of the gums, and consequently you should seek further attention.

What are dentures made of?

Denture teeth are made from acrylic or porcelain, specially selected for size, shape and colour to conform and harmonise with your facial characteristics.

A plastic or metal base holds together and supports these teeth on your gums.

A few handy hints that will ease you into your new set of dentures

Dentures

Dentures are an artificial appliance and some people may need time to get used to them. Dentures usually last for 8 to 10 years and need routine maintenance. Relines may also be required.

If you are having immediate dentures inserted please read this brochure in conjunction with the brochure titled “Immediate Denture”.

Denture problems 

Problems resulting from a new set of dentures may include: slipping, sore gums, excess saliva (or not enough of it) and difficulty chewing or talking.

For most people, it takes between 4 and 12 weeks to really get used to a new set of dentures.

During that time, a new set of dentures may need a number of early adjustments, which can lead to frustrations. But before you let frustrations get the upper hand and you toss those new dentures in the rubbish try a few of these simple things.

Steam your vegetables

You tend to bite your cheek or tongue when you get a new set of dentures, particularly your very first set. To reduce this, chew slowly. Also, stay away from raw vegetables or anything else that’s crunchy or difficult to chew. One of the first things patients want to eat when they get new dentures is a steak and salad, and both are among the most difficult things to eat. A steak is very tough. And believe it or not, lettuce is also difficult to chew. So eat your vegetables, but eat them steamed, and try to avoid anything that’s tough for the first two weeks or so.

Read out loud

New dentures can make talking difficult for the first week or so. One of the best ways to overcome this problem is to read out loud. As you’re reading, listen to your pronunciation and your diction and correct what doesn’t sound right.

Keep in mind that you’re probably more aware of any changes in speech than anyone else is. Any time you speak out loud whether reading or just talking to yourself in the car, you help yourself accommodate more quickly.

Videotape yourself

If you have a video camera, a videotaping can help you. A videotape allows you to see what others see when you’re talking. Your Dental Prosthetist can use the pictures to determine any problems in jaw or lip movements. Alternatively try talking in front of a mirror.

Massage your gums

To relieve sore gums associated with new dentures, massage your gums several times a day following this routine- place your thumb and index finger over your gum and with your index finger on the outside, massage each section of sore gum by squeezing and rubbing with your thumb and finger. This will promote circulation and give your gums a healthy firmness.

Drink a lot of water

New denture wearers often suffer from either dry mouth or excessive saliva. Either way, frequent sips of water will solve the problem. Excessive saliva results because the mouth can’t tell the difference between the dentures and food in the early stages. By sipping water, you wash away the excessive saliva that can cause a gagging or sick feeling. Sucking on hard candy also helps dry mouth, but sipping water is better, especially for people who are overweight. Have diabetes or suffer from serous tooth decay.

Adhesives

If you’re having trouble with dentures slipping, don’t reach for a denture adhesive. If you continually add denture creams and powder, a layer may build up between gums and dentures, which may cause the gum and bone to shrink over time.

You should see your Dental Prosthetist if your dentures are still loose a week or so after they have been inserted.

A denture adhesive may then be recommended or adjustment made.

Are your Dentures the Right Fit?

It takes more than a month for most people to adjust to new dentures. But don’t wait that long if you notice any of these symptoms, which can indicate a problem in the fit of your set.

Teeth don’t meet properly- when you close your mouth, the top and bottom dentures should meet at both sides of your mouth. If they meet only on one side, that’s one sign the fit is wrong.

Cleaning Your Dentures

The best way to clean dentures and keep your breath fresh is to brush your dentures nightly with regular hand soap and lukewarm water, using a soft bristle toothbrush. Please refer to the Brochure titled “Caring for your Dentures” for further information.

Wear your glasses- if you wear your glasses for reading or close work; put them on when you’re cleaning your dentures. And make sure you have plenty of light. Your eyesight and lighting conditions should be optimal for a good cleaning. Dentures won’t be cleaned properly through “feeling.”

Brush your gums and tongue- even though you have dentures instead of a full set of teeth, brushing is important, because bacteria still invade the gums and tongue. Brush with a soft-bristle brush to remover bacteria and keep breath fresh. Toothpaste is optional. Rinse with salty water.

Handling Dentures

Clean dentures over a filled sink. That way, if you drop your dentures, the water will break the fall and prevent chipping. Alternatively, clean them over a thick towel.

Occasionally dentures may cause problems that can’t be treated at home.

You should see your Dental Prosthetist immediately if you have prolonged gum bleeding. Other reasons to see a Dental Prosthetist are:

You get a swelling around the mouth that extends up under the eye.

You get swelling in the throat that makes swallowing difficult.

Lumps, bumps or sores appear in the mouth.

These may be signs of gum disease, infection or other conditions that will require medical or specialist dental treatment.