Getting used to new dentures

Getting used to new dentures may cause some issues or even pain initially. Be patient and try to keep the dentures in your mouth despite the discomfort. Your mouth will get used to the new dentures. For the first two weeks, only remove your dentures for cleaning and wear them at night as well. Later on, it is recommended to take the dentures out overnight.

While adjusting to your new dentures, you may experience difficulty eating and talking. The speech will improve soon, however, you can speed this up by, for example, reading out loud in front of a mirror. Focus on soft food and try to avoid food that is too hot – take small bites.

If you have difficulty placing or removing your dentures or for some reason (e.g. pain) you cannot wear your dentures, contact your dentist immediately. If possible, put the dentures in your mouth at least two hours before your appointment with a doctor – this will enable the doctor to better adjust the dentures.

Removable denture care

Denture cleaning products:

• denture brush or soft toothbrush
• water
• soap or dish soap
• denture cleanser tablets

Cleaning:

• Remove the dentures for cleaning.
• Wash dentures under warm running water over a half-filled sink or soft towel, as the dentures may break if dropped.
• Brush all surfaces of the denture.
• After washing, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• Clean your dentures morning and evening.
• Rise your dentures and mouth after each meal.

After the evening cleansing, soak them in denture cleanser tablet solution for 10–15 minutes. To do this, place the cleanser tablet in a container filled with warm water, then add the dentures. The cleanser tablet solution helps eliminate microorganisms that cause oral mucosal diseases.

Rinse dentures thoroughly under running water, brushing them lightly to remove any cleanser residue.

NB! Discard the used solution.

Do not use the following to clean dentures:

• toothpaste – it is abrasive and can damage the dentures!
• alcohol, bleach, hot water – these damage the denture material, and could cause them to become brittle and fade in colour.

Denture storage

If you remove your dentures (e.g. overnight, due to discomfort), keep them clean and in a moist environment:

• in a denture box or another sealable container in water,
• in a denture box or another sealable container wrapped in a damp paper towel, or
• in a glass filled with water.

Dry storage causes denture material to become brittle and they might break more easily.

NB! Do not use your pockets to store dentures!

 

Mouth and teeth cleaning

• Brush your teeth twice a day with toothbrush and toothpaste. Make sure you also clean the tongue and mucous membranes.
• If you have no teeth or only a few teeth, use a soft toothbrush to brush your tongue, roof of the mouth and gums twice a day.

Brushing of mucosal surfaces improves blood circulation in the mouth.

 

Bridge care

Bridge cleaning products:

• interdental brush or
• special dental floss

Carefully clean under the bridge with a brush or floss, using a gentle back-and-forth motion. Brush other surfaces of the dental bridge, teeth, mucosal surfaces and tongue with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste.

If you do not clean the dentures, microbes will accumulate on it, causing bad breath and oral mucosal diseases. The latter are a predisposition to cardiovascular and other general diseases.

If your dentures break, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Do not put the broken dentures in your mouth. Under no circumstances should you try to repair your own dentures – you will ruin them and it will not be possible to restore them!

Visit your dentist at least once a year. Before coming to the appointment, wash both your mouth and dentures thoroughly.

Source: University of Tartu