Oral Hygiene Tips for People With Dentures

February 17, 2022

Dentures replace lost permanent teeth and most people, young or old, prefer getting dentures because it’s the most cost-effective option available. A denture is a dental plate that is either removable or fixed and is used to restore chewing function and confidence.

People believe that it’s easier to maintain good oral hygiene with dentures on. They think that since you only have a few original teeth left to clean, you don’t have to pay too much attention to your dental health. Sadly, this isn’t the case. Even with dentures, you have to practice good oral hygiene and continue with the same practices that you’re used to with your original teeth.

Good oral hygiene goes beyond merely keeping your dentures and teeth clean. Polishing your removable teeth isn’t enough because, just like when you had your old teeth, with dentures you still need to look after your gums.

Here are some of the issues you may experience without optimal denture care:

Bad breath
Mouth cracks or soreness
Gum abscess
Mouth ulcers
Swelling
Bleeding gums
Loose teeth
Uncomfortable or ill-fitting dentures
Pain

If you want to keep your whole mouth healthy, you need to clean your dentures. This article will explore this topic more deeply, giving you more information and tips on keeping your artificial teeth and mouth germ-free.

Best Oral Hygiene Practices

To help you realize the importance of developing good oral hygiene, look at some of the severe mouth conditions you’ll suffer in the absence of one.

Endocarditis. This refers to the infection of your heart chamber’s inner lining. It occurs when germs and bacteria from other body parts, like the mouth, spread via your bloodstream. Organs that can be affected by this transfer of bacteria include the heart.
Pneumonia. If you don’t keep your mouth clean, some bacteria can go to your lungs, causing respiratory problems like pneumonia.
Birth and pregnancy complications. If you end up suffering from periodontitis and you’re pregnant, there’s a high risk that your baby will have a low birth weight. The worst thing that can happen is you might give birth prematurely.
Cardiovascular disease. Although experts haven’t established the direct link between the heart and oral health, some studies correlate oral bacteria with stroke, clogged arteries, and heart disease.

Other studies also suggest that people suffering from gum diseases have difficulty controlling their sugar levels. On the other hand, periodontal care may help keep diabetes under control.

The first step in shielding yourself from these conditions is to establish regular and effective oral hygiene.

Denture Hygiene Tips

It’s an understatement to say that good oral hygiene is essential for keeping your teeth and gums in good health. You need to brush at least two times a day, floss regularly, and visit your dentist and Denturist for regular checkups. These are important whether you have natural teeth or not.

Oral health is not just about gum disease and cavities. Research shows a direct link between dental health and overall health. If you fail to treat a toothache, it could lead to tooth decay or gum problems, potentially affecting a person’s self-confidence, social life, school, and work.

You can prevent these problems with a simple change in your routine. Here are some dental hygiene tips to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy.

Clean Your Dentures Every Day

The first step in dental care with dentures is learning how to properly clean this dental appliance. Check out these tips for how to clean your dentures.

Remove your dentures from your mouth and clean them carefully over a soft surface or bowl of water. This will help ensure that it won’t break, in case you drop them while cleaning.
Soak and brush your dentures daily. Remove food debris and use non-abrasive cleaners for this. Don’t scrub your dentures too hard since this may create grooves on the denture’s surface.
Brush all the surfaces with a soft-bristled denture brush, including the part that fits against your gums.
If you see scales or stains on your dentures, get help from your dentist to clean your artificial teeth.

Clean Your Gums Regularly

Cleaning your dentures is only half the battle. Aside from cleaning dentures, you also have to clean your gums regularly. Plaque can build up even with dentures and these can cause an infection that might hurt your gums and the bone holding your teeth.

Even mild gum disease can turn your gums red and make them feel tender. In this case, your gums can easily bleed. This condition is called gingivitis and you can prevent it with frequent brushing and flossing.

One of the most common oral hygiene mistakes people commit is neglecting denture care. They brush their teeth regularly but feel that’s enough. They also don’t take dentist visits seriously. Even if you have full, complete dentures, you still need to clean other parts of your mouth thoroughly.

Soak Dentures Overnight

Optimal denture care includes soaking your dentures overnight. By doing this, you can completely remove any residue and give your mouth a rest at the same time. This will also keep them moist, making them easier to put on. This will also make them look more natural.

Here are a few denture-cleaning tips you should remember:

When soaking, use denture cleaners to kill all bacteria.
When you’re not wearing your dentures, soak them in water to keep them from warping.
If you opt to use cleaners, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If your dentures have metal parts, don’t soak these in cleaners that have bleach in them since this will damage your dental appliance.

Did you know?

Did you know that loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection? See your dentist promptly if your dentures become loose.

Rinse Dentures After Each Meal

The reason why you need to rinse your dentures after every meal is similar to why you need to soak your dentures overnight. You do both of these to remove food particles and other debris that might cause plaque buildup and tooth decay.

Remove Dentures Before Going to Bed

It doesn’t matter what type of dentures you’re wearing – never leave them on when you sleep. It’s not advisable to sleep with full dentures on because they can lead to many problems. These include the following:

Sore gums
Stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)
Reduced life span of your dentures
Can lead to pneumonia

Get Your Dentures From St. Boniface Denture Clinic!

If you’ve scoured the internet for a Denturist in Winnipeg, but haven’t found the right dental clinic, you’re in luck. St. Boniface Denture Clinic is here to help you on your journey.

If you need help keeping your dentures clean and your mouth healthy, schedule a visit here at St. Boniface Denture Clinic. With years of cumulative experience, we have some of the best dental experts in the field. Trusting them with your denture health is the best decision you’ll ever make.

FAQs on Oral Hygiene Tips for People With Dentures

How many hours a day should you wear your dentures?

The general rule is never to wear your dentures for 24 hours straight. You can wear it during the day, but you have to perform proper dental hygiene at night. Clean them and rinse them in water and soak them at night before going to bed.

How do you properly clean gums with no teeth?

If you wear complete dentures, you also need to clean your gums. You have to use non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to do this. Scrub your plaque away as gently as you can. After this, rinse your mouth with water. If your mouth is sensitive to brushing, you can use a washcloth instead.

What is the best thing to soak dentures in?

You need to soak your dentures in fresh water to keep them moist and keep their shape.