Denture Maintenance 101: How to Get the Most Out of Your Prosthetic

Your dentures are meant to increase your chewing power, enhance your facial aesthetics, and improve your overall quality of life. However, they can only live up to that potential if you take care of them! What are some things you should do to protect both your dentures and your oral health? Here are a few basic best practices for denture maintenance:

Keep Your Dentures Clean

A good oral hygiene routine can prevent bacteria, stains, and odors from accumulating on your dentures. You should:

• Thoroughly brush your dentures once each day with a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaning agent. (You can ask your dental team for product recommendations.)
• Regularly soak your dentures in a cleansing solution.
• Do not store your dentures where they could easily fall on the floor and collect dust and dirt.
• Rinse your dentures after each meal.

Prevent Damage

Dentures are durable, but they could easily incur damage If they are not handled properly. Here are some tips to protect them:

• When you take your dentures out of your mouth, make sure that you are standing over a soft surface, such as a folded towel or a sink full of water. If you accidentally drop your prosthetic, it should have an easy landing!
• Do not store your dentures in a place where curious pets or small children could easily get ahold of them.
• Keep your dentures moist whenever you are not wearing them. You can do so by placing them in a cup of water.
• When you chew, distribute the food evenly on both sides of your mouth so you do not place too much pressure on any one part of your dentures.

Take Good Care of Your Mouth

To keep your mouth healthy enough to support your dentures, you should:

• Carefully wipe your gums each day with a soft cloth.
• Regularly rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Brush your tongue and the insides of your cheeks.
• Let your gums rest by not wearing your dentures 24/7. It is best to keep your prosthetic out of your mouth while you are sleeping each night.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Dentures cannot get cavities, but that fact does not excuse you from the need to attend regular dental visits. At these appointments, your dental team can examine your mouth for signs of oral health problems, clean and inspect your dentures, and let you know when your prosthetic needs to be relined (adjusted) or replaced.

Taking care of dentures is not complicated or time-consuming. Talk to your dentist if you have questions about how to keep your smile in good shape.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Angelo M. Julovich has decades of experience in dentistry, and he has been consistently honored as a Top Dentist in the Zionsville area since 2008. He is proud to provide dentures, denture maintenance services, and more in a welcoming, modern environment. To learn more about how he and our team may be able to serve you, contact Trinity Dental at 317-769-3335.