Denture Care and Hygiene: Essential Tips for a Healthy Smile

Keep your dentures sparkling clean for a healthy smile!

Getting new dentures is an exciting step toward a confident, healthy smile. To help you keep your new smile looking and feeling great, it’s essential to care for your dentures properly. Here are some practical tips to maintain clean, healthy dentures and protect your oral health.

1. Handle Your Dentures with Care

Dentures are durable, but they can break if dropped on a hard surface. When removing or cleaning your dentures, always do so over a sink filled with water or a soft towel. This simple precaution helps prevent damage and ensures your dentures stay in great condition.

2. Clean Your Dentures Regularly

Just like natural teeth, dentures need regular cleaning to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria. Here’s how to keep your dentures clean and your smile fresh:

• Brush Twice a Day: Clean your dentures thoroughly in the morning and at night. Some people find it helpful to brush after meals to maintain a fresh, clean feeling.

  
  

• Cleaning Partial Dentures: If you have partial dentures, you’ll likely need to clean them more frequently, particularly after meals. Due to their design, partial dentures can attract food particles more easily, especially around the clasps and other components. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, partial dentures are a prosthetic, and food will naturally be drawn to them. This makes regular cleaning essential to maintain a healthy mouth and prevent irritation or infection.

  
  

• Use the Right Products: Opt for a denture specific toothbrush with liquid soap, denture cleaner, or non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid abrasive products, as it this can damage the surface of your dentures. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR CLINICIAN WHAT PRODUCT THEY RECOMMEND. Make sure you brush all surfaces, including the parts that sit against your gums.

  
  

• Denture Cleaning Tablets: Use a denture-cleaning tablet, like Steradent, once a day. These tablets help eliminate microscopic bacteria, contributing to a healthy mouth. Remember, brush your dentures before soaking to remove any food particles or plaque.

Important: Never soak your dentures in Steradent overnight.

Steradent type products contain bleaching agents. Prolonged exposure can damage the denture materials, making the dentures brittle and causing colour loss. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.

Ensure all surfaces of your denture are brushed thoroughly and cleaned of any food debris and dental plaque.

3. Store Your Dentures Correctly

When not wearing your dentures, place them in a denture storage box with a small amount of water to prevent them from drying out or warping. Unless advised otherwise by your clinician, avoid wearing dentures overnight to give your gums a chance to rest.

4. Be Cautious with New Cleaning Products

Not all cleaning products are suitable for dentures. Before using any new denture cleaner or dental hygiene product, check the label to ensure it’s safe for dentures. Abrasive products can damage the surface, making it easier for bacteria to accumulate.

5. Maintain Regular Dental Check-Ups

Even if you have full dentures, regular dental check-ups remain essential. Over time, your gums and jawbone can change, affecting the fit and comfort of your dentures. Routine visits allow your dental professional to check the fit of your dentures, assess your oral health, and make any necessary adjustments.

A Healthy Smile for Years to Come

With proper care, your new dentures can give you a comfortable, natural-looking smile for many years. A clean, well-maintained denture helps prevent oral infections, maintains fresh breath, and supports a healthy mouth.

If you’re considering dentures or need advice on caring for your new smile, we offer free consultations for patients across Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey.

Contact us today to start your journey toward a brighter, healthier smile.

01276 25235 info@abledentureimplantclinic.com

Able Denture & Implant Clinic has been proudly serving patients across Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey for over 15 years. With our clinic conveniently located in the heart of Camberley, we welcome patients from: Camberley, Fleet, Farnborough, Aldershot, Blackwater, Yateley, Lightwater, Bagshot, Bracknell, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Woking, Wokingham and surrounding areas.