A great deal of skill has been used in constructing your new dentures and they must be cared for if you are to get the best service from them. Nothing has been found to equal healthy, natural teeth but dentistry has made great progress in replacing them with artificial ones. These cannot be expected to do everything that natural white teeth do, but, provided they are used sensibly, they will enable you to eat and speak quite satisfactorily.

CLEANING...

Just like your natural teeth, Dentures must be kept clean and free from deposits to avoid permanently staining them. Dirty dentures look unpleasant, cause bad breath and is very unhygienic.

​Keep your dentures clean by rinsing them in warm, not hot, water, and rinsing out your mouth after every meal. If simple rinsing does not clean your dentures thoroughly, a denture brush or toothbrush maybe use to remove loose food from between your teeth.
Every night, your dentures should be cleaned with a brush. Never use abrasive powders or regular toothpaste as these scratch the denture surface, making them more difficult to clean. When brushing your dentures, always take the precaution of having a few inches of water in the wash basin to avoid breaking your denture if you were to drop it. It is also advisable to spread a cloth or flannel in the basin for the same reason. Always hold the lower denture on the side you are brushing, never in the palm of your hand as this may cause them to break.
Each night, you should use a denture cleaner which may be purchased at a pharmacy, but remember to brush off saliva and any food debris before you put the dentures into a bath of cleanser. These denture cleanser’s are in powder, liquid or tablet form and must be mixed with water according to the manufacturers instructions. Stronger solutions are available through us. Some of the ingredients are very strong, so please do not use more than the instructions state. Soaking for a few minutes is not usually sufficient, even though the denture may look quite clean. Several hours of immersion is desirable such as an overnight cleaning. Occasionally, soaking your dentures in undiluted vinegar is useful in removing persistent stains and calculus. Ultrasonic cleaners are very effective and may be purchased through us. Always rinse your dentures in water before use.

EXTRA TIPS on ORAL and DENTURE HYGIENE

  • Dental implants are placed in the jawbone and are intended to act much like natural teeth, and like natural teeth, implants need to be kept clean using a toothbrush and floss.
  • Dental plaque is an invisible bacterial film that forms on natural teeth, dentures, retention bars and implant abutments. Once hardened by calcification, plaque becomes calculus (commonly referred to as tartar). Gum irritation and diseases are only a few of the damaging occurrences that could compromise the success of your implants over time.
  • To avoid plaque build-up, a daily regimen of cleaning and rinsing is required.
  • Special floss and brushes can be used to clean implant abutments and bars and to gently massage your gums.
  • Avoid using metal tools to clean your implant components.
  • As with natural teeth, your dental implants will require regular professional cleanings and evaluation by a Dental Hygienist.
  • Do not forget your dentures! Taking care of your dentures is also part of a good oral hygiene program.
  • Clean and rinse your dentures after every meal.
  • Between meals, brush your dentures with a soft brush and non-abrasive denture cream.
  • A denture should be removed each day and placed in a covered container with a denture soaking cleanser that kills bacteria. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the denture cleanser to determine how long your denture should be soaked. Soaking a denture overnight is optional with some denture cleansers. This keeps a denture clean, and also gives the supporting tissues in your mouth a chance to rest.
  • If you denture is secured to your implants and cannot be removed by you, then your Denturist will advise you of a special hygiene regimen required.