It is fairly normal to be self-conscious when wearing dentures, but there’s really no need! Any good pair of dentures will look just like normal teeth, so it’s important that, just like normal teeth, you keep them in as good a shape as possible.
If you need any advice on maintaining your dentures, be sure to visit your denture clinic for either partial dentures, or a full set of dentures. Your dentist may also be able to help you, but here are some general tips for night-time care of your dentures.
Proper Cleaning of Dentures
One of your priorities every evening should be the cleaning of your dentures. You can treat your dentures like normal teeth and practice good brushing habits. Even if you have temporary, emergency dentures. Brush your dentures softly with a denture brush.
Your dentures should then be stored for safe overnight keeping.
Safe Storage of Dentures
Overnight, dentures usually sit in a glass of warm water and a solution made from this and something like Polident – a denture cleaning agent which uses non-toxic chemicals to erode away harmful mouth bacteria. Whether you have partial dentures or full dentures, it is critical that you soak your dentures overnight in a solution like Polident to ward off bacteria.
Don’t Overheat Your Denture Water
One of the trickiest things to get right when storing dentures overnight is the water temperature. If your water temperature is too hot, your dentures may warp, causing them to rub on your gums which can cause you medical problems over time. Make sure that your denture water is lukewarm.
Damage Prevention in Overnight Storage
One of the key components of overnight denture storage is that it keeps them safe from damage. If your dentures are dropped accidentally and damaged in any way, you will need to consult your dentist about denture repair and even emergency denture repair, through an emergency dentist. Your dentures should be stored by the sink in a glass of warm water, on a level surface.
Rinse Them Well in the Morning
One of the critical steps that some people with dentures miss (that is until they have a nasty taste in their mouth), is the step of rinsing their dentures. The chemicals that are contained within Polident and other denture cleaning solutions are not fit for human consumption in any quantity, let alone the fact that they’ll contain all of the bacteria picked up on your dentures from the day before – gross! Make sure you rinse your dentures well before putting them back in your mouth.
Don’t Bleach Your Dentures
There is absolutely no need to use any whitening solutions or bleach on your immediate dentures! These chemicals don’t really come off of the dentures themselves and can cause more harm than good in your mouth. Your dentures don’t need whitening, just regular brushing with a denture brush, overnight storage in warm water, and an appropriate denture cleaning solution.
No matter your reason for dentures, whether it’s poor oral health, age, or an accident, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take as good care of your dentures as you did of your own teeth. Your dentures are now your teeth and deserve all the care and attention!
Consult your denture specialist or dentist about proper denture care and overnight storage to leave you with a fresh pair of dentures to put in, each and every morning. Keep smiling with bright white dentures that are well looked after. And remember, no bleach or whiteners are necessary.
