Patient Care
You & Your Dentures
- Always remove the denture at night, before going to sleep. In every 24 hour period, the denture should be out of the mouth for at least 6 hours unless advised otherwise by a dentist.
- For good oral health, a soft-bristled toothbrush should be used to massage and cleanse all of the gum tissues which are covered by the dentures.
- A soft toothbrush should be used to scrub the tongue
- After a meal, dentures should be removed and the mouth should be rinsed. The dentures should also be cleaned.
- Home re-liners or adhesives should never be used unless advised by a qualified dentist.
Care of the Denture
- Cleanse the inside as well as the outside of the denture using a denture brush and liquid detergent or a non-abrasive soap bar. Toothpaste should never be used on a denture.
- Dentures should be brushed over a basin of water, to protect the denture should it slip and fall.
- Dentures should be soaked overnight in a commercial denture cleanser
- When not in your mouth, a denture should not be allowed to dry out. Dentures should be stored in a cleaning solution or plain water. This water and cleaning solution should be changed daily.
What To Expect
- For most patients, it takes a few weeks to get used to their new dentures. To help a patient adjust, a client’s dentures should be worn as much as possible during the adjustment phase.
- Foods that could dislodge the dentures – corn on the cob, apples, etc. – should be avoided. Problem foods should be cut into smaller more manageable chunks. Small, chunky food, chewed at the back of the mouth helps to seat the denture while eating with the front teeth can dislodge the denture.
- If any issues arise with a denture it is advisable to return to a dentist as soon as possible.
- Individuals should never try and adjust their own dentures as damage to the dentures and the mouth of the individual could be incurred. The legal obligation of the dentist can be voided in these situations.
- No denture is permanent. Bones and the soft tissue of the mouth continually change. Only a professional and fully registered dentist can determine if a mouth is healthy and determine if new dentures are required.
- Annual check-ups with a qualified dentist should be attended.