How do you care for a denture?

Special attention must be paid to cleanliness in order to remove food debris, bacteria and various stains that arise from some foods and smoking. If you are not careful about this, the gums may become inflamed and bad breath may develop. If possible, clean after each meal and especially before retiring each night.

A daily routine of brushing and soaking is a highly effective way to look after dentures. This combination of methods, using non-abrasive products, will ensure dentures stay clean, fresh and in top condition.

Dentures should be removed before cleaning. Firstly, every part of the denture should be brushed with denture toothbrush to remove loose food particles. Hold the denture over a basin containing water. It is a good idea to put a face cloth in the basin, too, so that if the denture does slip it won’t break. You may use soap and water, but if you prefer to use a paste, a specially designed denture toothpaste should be used as conventional toothpastes can be too abrasive.

Regular soaking with a product like Polident or Steradent after brushing will remove light staining and help to keep your denture hygienically clean. Don’t immerse the denture in very hot water, as this may warp it. These products are available in 15 minute or overnight formulations, but soaking must be carried out regularly if stain removal is to be effective. The 15 minute product is suitable for removing light stains, whilst heavier stains will require overnight soaking to be effective. Always ensure you rinse the denture in water while brushing lightly to remove any traces of the soaking product. If your denture has metal components, ensure you are using a denture cleanser that is suitable for this purpose.