Tips for Keeping Your Dentures Dazzling

Dentures can be a wonderful way to restore a smile after tooth loss because they are lifelike enough to go unnoticed by casual observers and comfortable enough for patients to sometimes forget they are wearing them at all. However, they still need a proper hygiene regimen to maintain their appearance and keep them working well for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to help you take excellent care of your dentures.

Know What to Avoid

While dentures are incredibly durable, they can still accrue unsightly stains and buildups if you’re not careful. Though the artificial teeth are stain resistant, frequent foods and beverages like coffee, sports drinks, colas, red wine, tomato sauces, and balsamic vinegar can cause discoloration over time. Enjoy these foods and drinks in moderation and take care to thoroughly rinse your dentures in lukewarm water after consuming them.

Even worse than that, tobacco smoke can leave yellow or brown stains on your dentures, ruining their nice appearance and your willingness to smile generously. To make matters worse yet, the noxious chemicals in tobacco smoke can even lead to gum recession, making your dentures lose their fit and require relines sooner. It’s best to kick the tobacco habit if you want your dentures to look great and last a long time.

Keep Your Dentures Clean

In addition to rinsing your dentures off after meals, you should take care to thoroughly clean them at least once a day. Before you remove your dentures, fill your sink with lukewarm water and cover the countertop with folded towels to create a cushion in case you drop them. Remove your dentures and brush them with a soft toothbrush or a denture brush and an approved denture cleanser. Using ordinary toothpaste can leave visible scratches on the surface of your dentures, and nonapproved cleansers can degrade their components and cause them to warp.

Soak Your Dentures

Your mouth and your dentures need at least eight hours apart every day so your mouth can rest and clean itself and your dentures have time to soak. Most patients remove their dentures for the day before they go to bed. After cleaning your dentures, set them in a container filled with an approved denture-soaking solution. This will keep your dentures moist while helping to lift existing stains and prevent new ones from forming.

Dentures are a significant investment, so it only makes sense that you’d want yours to last for as long as possible. With excellent care, your dentures can last for up to ten years or more.

About the Author

Dr. Eric Barajas earned his dental degree at the UCLA School of Dentistry and stays on top of the latest developments in the dental field through continuing education courses. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the San Diego County Dental Society. His office in Chula Vista, CA offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about proper denture care, contact his office online or dial (619) 482-7367.