Don’t Turn Your Mouth into a Petri Dish: Clean and Soak Your Dentures Daily

Dentures are remarkable prosthetic devices that can replace several, many, or all of a patient’s missing teeth. These appliances are incredibly versatile and can restore a patient’s ability to speak clearly and much of their chewing power, and many say that they are so comfortable that they are tempted to simply continue wearing them for days at a time. Here’s a brief guide to why this is a horrible idea and how you can keep your dentures sanitary, functional, and presentable.

Why Can’t I Just Wear My Dentures for Weeks at a Time?

While your dentures should be remarkably comfortable and natural feeling after you get used to wearing them, they still decrease circulation in your gums when they are used, which inhibits their ability to heal and fight infection. To make matters worse, the dentures can also shelter accumulations of bacteria-breeding food debris and sugary residue that cause bad breath. This makes it necessary to remove your dentures for eight hours daily so your mouth can rest and clean itself.

How Should I Clean My Dentures?

Most patients remove their dentures before they go to bed so they can start the next day with clean teeth. Before taking your dentures out, fill your sink with lukewarm water and cover your countertop with folded towels to create a cushion in case you drop your appliance. Then, remove your dentures and carefully treat each of their surfaces with a soft-bristled brush and a small amount of denture cleanser. Carefully floss your artificial teeth and place your device in a vessel of water or an approved denture-soaking solution.

What If I Want to Leave My Dentures in Permanently?

If you’d like to wear a pair of dentures that feel and work just like real teeth, you may wish to consult with your dentist about implant dentures. These irremovable devices are securely anchored to the gums using two or more dental implants, which are titanium posts surgically placed in the jawbone. Dental implants preserve the structure of the jaw, provide maximum chewing power, and can last for decades or even a lifetime if they receive excellent care. They can also drastically reduce the frequency with which you will need to replace your dentures.

Don’t let poor hygiene lead to preventable oral infections. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best ways to keep your dentures clean and your mouth healthy.

About the Practice

Care 32 Dental offers exemplary oral healthcare to the community of Grand Prairie. Led by Drs. Heliben and Krunal Desai and Vasim Momin, the staff treats each patient with the utmost compassion and old-fashioned customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about proper denture care, contact the practice online or dial (469) 346-8828.