Denture Care Instructions

Different Types of Dentures

Anyone with missing teeth knows how important their dentures are to their quality of life. A denture can be a partial or a full appliance depending on if you are missing a few or all of your teeth.

Dentures help restore function to your teeth for proper chewing and speaking. They can also restore one’s self-esteem and confidence to smile in public. 

There are various types of dentures based on your dental needs. It is best to speak with your dentist on the best denture type for you, depending on your oral health, general health, and budget. The most common types of dentures include:

Removable Full Dentures

Complete dentures are recommended for patients missing all of their teeth and can be fabricated as an upper arch denture, lower arch denture, or a set of both. 

Removable Partial Dentures

Partials are an excellent solution for patients missing one or more teeth and need a tooth replacement. A partial denture can be designed in acrylic or metal and attaches to existing teeth as anchors. 

Fixed Partial Dentures

A fixed partial denture is similar to a removable partial denture but is permanently cemented and can't be taken out.

Implant Retained Dentures

For people with an entire arch of missing teeth, implants can provide a stable, long term solution. Implants allow for dentures to "snap" in place and prevent long term bone deterioration.

How to Remove Complete Dentures

It is important to remove your dentures safely so they have a longer life span and have a high-quality appearance.

You must remove your dentures daily in order to let your tissues "breathe." Just like you would not sleep with contact lenses or shoes on, you should not sleep with your dentures on.

Follow these steps:

1. Fill a bowl or basin with warm water and place it in your sink, so if your dentures fall, they won't break.
2. Always have a towel or cloth on the floor or around the sink, so if your dentures fall, they won’t break.
3. Gargle with warm water to help remove the seal between your denture and denture adhesive.
4. Gently remove your lower denture by holding the middle part between two fingers and rock it back and forth. When it starts to elevate, remove it upward.
5. The upper denture has a more robust seal to the roof of your mouth and may need to be removed in a few more rocking motions. You should be able to break the seal by placing a finger on either side of the denture near the corner of your lips and pulling downward.
6. When both dentures are removed, rinse them underwater.
7. Use an approved denture brush or soft toothbrush with denture paste or liquid soap to clean off any food, plaque, or denture adhesive.
8. Clean the roof of your mouth and your gums.
9. Soak your dentures in a denture cleaning solution.
10. Rinse your dentures with water before inserting them in the mouth.

How to Care for Removable Dentures

Caring for dentures is imperative to provide you with proper long-term function and maintain your oral health. The best way to care for your dentures is to:

• Rinse them after every meal to remove plaque and food particles 
• Maintain routine dental visits to ensure they are in optimal shape
• Brush them gently at night with a denture brush to wash off any food, plaque, or denture adhesive
• Handle them with proper care to avoid breaking them
• Let them bathe in a denture cleaner overnight. 

How to Care for Implant Retained Dentures

It is essential to understand how to care for your new, permanent prosthesis. Just like your natural teeth, you should maintain your oral care at home with proper brushing and flossing.

You can use specialized toothbrushes that have a soft-bristle designed for brushing around dental implants and under your prosthesis. 

You can also use specialized floss such as superfloss or floss threaders.

It is recommended to remove your fixed denture while sleeping even though it is considered a permanent solution. Not sleeping with your denture helps prevent bacterial build-up, potential infections, and other complications like gum disease that can arise. 

Always remember to attend routine dental visits to have your fixed denture evaluated.

A comprehensive evaluation of your gums and tissues will determine if your implants and prosthesis are in good shape. Dental assessment of your dentures will decide if your pair is working correctly or you need a set of new dentures. 

Monitor your diet carefully. Although you can eat more comfortably with a fixed denture, avoid hard foods that can cause damage to the porcelain on your implant crowns.. 

How Not to Clean Dentures

It seems logical to use toothpaste or other cleaning agents to care for your dentures. However, these may contain harsh and abrasive materials that can damage your dentures.

It would help if you were using a specialized denture cleaner, baking soda, or vinegar to remove stains. 

Good maintenance can prolong the life of your denture. The following listed below can cause damage to your dentures:

• Toothpaste and whitening products — Toothpaste is too abrasive and can lead to wearing away of the acrylic material. 
• Bleach — Bleach is very harsh for your dentures and can lead to discoloration and weakening of the prosthetic. Do not soak dentures in any solution that is not advised by your dentist. 
• Sharp objects — If you have build-up on your denture, it is best to make an appointment with your dentist for a cleaning. Using a file or sharp object to scrape debris off can lead to rough surfaces, ditches, or scratches on your denture.  
• Dishwasher — Avoid putting your dentures in the dishwasher with hot water or using dishwashing detergent. This can lead to deformation or melting of the acrylic. 

Always store your dentures in an enclosed case. Leaving them out in the sun (such as in a car on a hot day) can warp them. Pets may also be attracted to dentures and damage them.