Dentures are an affordable solution for people who lack natural teeth. They can help improve the aesthetics of your smile as well as restore speaking and eating functions. Denture maintenance is crucial to ensure they last for a long time, that is, up to 10 years. If you have just gotten one or they are on your wish list, it is best to know the steps to clean and care for your dentures.
Stepwise Guide to Properly Clean Your Dentures
Here’s a brief stepwise guide to help you get the basic idea.
Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Area in Your Bathroom
Before you move straight into the cleaning process of your dentures, it is important to set your bathroom for the task. Fill your sink with warm water and keep a towel on the edge for a soft landing in case of an accidental fall. Still, as an added precaution, consider placing another towel on the floor, especially if your floor is tile or stone-covered.
Step 2: Use Warm Water to Loosen the Denture
Now, removing something fixed is difficult, so to help ease it out, gargle with warm water. Swishing warm water helps loosen the seal created by your denture adhesive.
Step 3: Take Out Your Dentures
It is best to start with the bottom denture first. Hold it by the middle portion between the thumb and middle finger, gently loosening it out via a back-and-forth motion. As it starts to come off, pull it up and out. Repeat the same process for the top denture.
Step 4: Rinse Your Denture
Under running water, rinse your dentures thoroughly to remove any loose food particles.
Step 5: Brush Your Denture
For this, use a denture brush or a soft-bristled regular toothbrush to clean your dentures. You can use water, specialized denture paste, or non-abrasive toothpaste. It is better not to use regular toothpaste as it has abrasives, as they can damage the denture material.
Step 6: Remove Adhesive Residues
A warm salt water solution can help remove adhesive residue left in your mouth. Once you are through gargling, use a clean washcloth to wipe along your gums and the roof of your mouth.
Step 7: Soak Dentures Overnight
Soaking dentures overnight keeps them clean and free of stains of any kind. Use a denture-cleaning solution or water for soaking. If you have a partial denture, use a cleaning solution designed specifically for partials.
Step 8: Rinse Thoroughly Before Inserting
Before putting your dentures back in your mouth in the morning, rinse them out thoroughly first with water. This ensures there are no cleaning solution residues left on them.
Closing Note
Proper denture care is essential for maintaining your oral health and increasing the life of your dental prosthetics (dentures). If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact the experts at Lone Star Dental. Call us at 281-233-0333 to connect with the team.