Maintenance of dentures

Adjusting to new dentures

Getting used to new dentures can be difficult or even painful at first. Be patient and try to keep the dentures in your mouth despite the discomfort. The mouth will soon adjust to the new situation. For the first two weeks, remove the dentures only to clean them and wear the dentures overnight as well. Later, it is recommended to remove the dentures at night.

At first, you may find it difficult to speak or eat with new dentures. Speech will improve soon, but you can help it by reading aloud in front of the mirror, for example. When eating, prefer softer and not very hot food, and take small bites.

If you have difficulty placing the new dentures in your mouth or removing them, or for some reason (for example, due to pain) you find it impossible to wear the dentures, contact your dentist immediately. If possible, put the dentures in your mouth at least two hours before going to the dentist – this will help the dentist correct the dentures better.

Maintenance of removable dentures

To clean your dentures, you need:
  • a special denture brush or a soft toothbrush
  • water
  • soap or dishwashing liquid
  • denture cleaning tablets
Cleaning:
  • Remove the dentures from the mouth for the time of cleaning.
  • Clean the dentures under warm running water over a half-filled sink or over a soft towel, as the dentures may break if dropped.
  • Brush all surfaces of the dentures.
  • After cleaning, rinse the dentures thoroughly with clean water.
  • Clean the dentures every morning and evening.
  • Rinse the dentures and mouth with water after every meal.

After cleaning in the evening, place the dentures in the cleaning tablet solution for 10-15 minutes. To do this, place the cleaning tablet and then the dentures in a container filled with warm water. The cleaning tablet solution helps remove microorganisms that cause mucosal diseases from the dentures.

Rinse off the residues of the cleaning solution thoroughly under running water by lightly brushing the dentures.

Please note! Discard the used solution.

When cleaning the dentures, do not use:
  • toothpaste – it is abrasive and can damage the dentures!
  • alcohol, bleach, hot water – they damage the dentures material, making it brittle or causing colour changes.

Storing your dentures

If you remove the dentures from your mouth (for example, at night, in case of discomfort), clean them and then store them in a moist environment:
  • in a denture box or some other closable box in water,
  • in a denture box or other closable box inside a damp paper towel or
  • in a glass filled with water.

Keeping it dry makes the denture material brittle and it can break more easily.

Please note! Do not store your dentures in your clothing pockets!

Cleaning the mouth and teeth

  • Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Also brush your tongue and mucous membranes.
  • If you have no teeth or only a few teeth in your mouth, brush your tongue, palate and gums twice a day with a soft toothbrush.

Brushing the mucous membranes improves blood circulation in the mouth.

 Maintenance of dental bridge

To clean your dental bridge, you need:
  • special interdental brush or
  • special dental floss

Carefully clean the surface under the dental bridge with a brush or floss in a back-and-forth motion. Wash other surfaces of the bridge, teeth, mucous membranes and tongue using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste.

If the bridge is not cleaned, microbes accumulate on its surface, which cause bad breath and oral mucosal diseases. These, in turn, are a predisposition for cardiovascular and several other general diseases.

If the dental bridge breaks, see your dentist as soon as possible. Do not put a broken bridge back in your mouth. Never try to repair your dental bridge yourself – you will damage the bridge and it cannot be restored to its former shape!

Visit the dentist at least once a year. Before coming to the dentist’s appointment, thoroughly clean both your mouth and dental bridge. 

Source: Tartu University