How to Care For Your Dentures
Understanding your dentures’ materials, strengths, and weaknesses can tell you how long you can expect them to last, which is why it’s essential to talk to your oral care provider about the best methods for care. Like your natural teeth, a denture’s lifespan and health depend on your denture oral hygiene regimen.
At home, here’s what you can do to keep your dentures in the best possible shape:
- If you have a partial denture, remove it before you brush your teeth.
- To clean your denture, remove and brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically for cleaning dentures. Your oral care professional may also instruct you to put it in a cleansing solution or water. Be careful not to drop it on the floor—try cleaning over a towel or bowl just in case.
- Don’t wear your dentures at night—this can irritate the tissue in your mouth and potentially lead to fungus growth.
- Maintain proper oral health with your remaining natural teeth: brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and floss daily, and go in for routine oral checkups every six months.
It’s worth noting that denture wearers may use adhesive pastes, powders, or adhesive pads to help dentures stay in place. Denture adhesives aren’t super common, as they’re typically used to fill in gaps when bones shrink or dentures loosen temporarily. Contact your dental care professional to see if you should use adhesives, what type to use, and how much to use.
So, what are dentures made of? It depends on the type of denture your needs, preferences, and budget. That’s why it helps to know more about dentures in general, as well as the different types and materials. That way, you can make an informed choice and pick a denture option that restores your smile’s beautiful and natural radiance.