Here at Fraser Dental we provide all of our denture patients with detailed denture cleaning instructions, and denture repair services, to help your dentures look great and last for as long as possible. A full range of denture-specific products are available at our clinic.
Proper denture cleaning routines will help them to stay white and hygienic, and extend their life. While you may assume that you can use the same oral hygiene techniques that you use for natural teeth, in fact you need different products and methods because dentures are made from different materials.
Cleaning Dentures
Dentures require daily cleaning to remove food and plaque bacteria. This should involve rinsing the dentures to flush away any loose food particles, and using a denture paste and proper denture brush to gently brush every surface thoroughly. Traditional toothpastes and hard-bristled brushes are too abrasive and are likely to scratch the surfaces. Rinse well after brushing, and also ideally after every meal.
Dentures should be soaked in a denture-specific cleaning solution overnight. Keeping them moist when they are not being worn stops them from drying out or losing their shape. Never place or rinse your dentures in hot water as this can cause them to warp.
Partial dentures may require different storage methods and solutions to prevent the metal clasps from tarnishing.
Whitening Dentures
Because they are made of plastic, you cannot whiten dentures in the same way as natural teeth. Having a great daily cleaning routine will help to minimise staining. There are also denture cleaning products available which help to lift discolouration. The removal of particularly stubborn stains, such as coffee, tea or red wine, can be done at an in-clinic appointment, where we use special techniques and products to lift tough stains and restore the dentures to their best condition possible. Never use bleach to attempt to whiten your dentures, as it can discolour them over time as well as compromise the strength of the base and teeth.
Denture Repair
If your dentures are damaged in any way you should come in and see us – do not attempt to repair them yourself. We will assess the damage for repair, taking into account factors such as the age and condition of the denture. It’s important to repair dentures correctly to avoid any chewing problems or developing irritating sore spots. We may also need to adjust repaired dentures to ensure they still fit well to your gums.
Oral Health For Denture Wearers
In addition to taking good care of your dentures, it is also important for denture-wearers to take good care of their mouths. Gently brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft toothbrush every morning before putting your dentures in. If you wear a partial denture, always remove it before brushing your natural teeth, and pay extra attention to the teeth that fit under the metal clasps.
We recommend having a denture check up at our clinic every 6-12 months, which allows us to check and maintain the condition and fit of your dentures as well as assess your overall oral health.