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Denture Care and Maintenance

Table of Contents

Oral health is important, and we must understand how our general health is affected by the health of our mouth, teeth and gums. Problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body.

Furthermore, if you have dentures, you must know how to take care of your dentures to make sure your denture set lasts for many years to come.

Oral Health

The mouth contains germs like other areas in your body, but they are mostly harmless. However, since your mouth is the entry to your digestive system as well as your respiratory system, germs can spread and cause diseases throughout the body.

Good oral care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep germs under control. A lack of oral hygiene may lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Certain diseases can lower the body’s ability to fight infection and can make oral health problems worse. The following health conditions may affect your oral health:

  • Diabetes – Diabetes can make it harder for your body to fight infection.
  • HIV/AIDS – Mucosal lesions are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
  • Pregnancy and birth complications – Gum disease called periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
  • Cancer – Several cancers have been linked to gum disease.
  • Alzheimer’s disease – As Alzheimer’s disease worsen, it can become harder to maintain good oral health.

Tips to take care of your mouth every day.

  • Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Also brush your tongue. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
  • Floss daily.
  • Eat a healthy diet and limit sugar in your diet.
  • Replace your toothbrush if the bristles become worn or start to flare out. It is recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
  • Quit smoking tobacco.
  • See a dentist at least once a year for checkups and cleanings but contact your dentist right away if you notice any oral health problems.

Dentures

Dentures, also called false teeth or artificial teeth, are removable oral appliances that replace missing teeth in your upper jaw, lower jaw or both. Some dentures replace a few missing teeth. Others replace all the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues.

Dentures are designed to help fill out your facial profile and improve your appearance. They also make it easier to eat, chew, and to speak with ease.

Types of Dentures

Type Removable Comfort Easy to clean Durability
Complete full Yes High Yes Mid
Partial Yes Mid Yes Mid
Snap-in Yes High Yes High
Economy Yes Low Yes Mid
Implant No High No High
Flexible Yes High Yes Low

Partial or full dentures, that can be taken out, must be cleaned properly.

Dental Care

Caring for dentures is not the same as caring for natural teeth; there is more to it. Knowing how to clean your dentures is imperative if you want them to look good and feel comfortable for as long as possible. Cleaning your dentures should become part of your daily dental routine.

Schedule regular dental checkups. Your dentist will recommend how often you should have your dentures looked at and professionally cleaned. Your dentist will make sure that your dentures are comfortable, securely fitting, and that your mouth is healthy.

For good denture care:

  • Take the dentures out after eating and rinse it under running water to get rid of food debris and other loose particles. Be careful not to drop it or to damage it.
  • Handle your dentures carefully and don’t bend or damage the plastic or clasps when cleaning.
  • Once the dentures are taken out, you must clean your remaining natural teeth, using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a gauze or a soft toothbrush for cleaning your tongue, cheeks and roof of your mouth. Also remove any dental adhesive that may still remain on your gums.
  • Dentures must be brushed daily. It can be soaked and brushed with a soft-bristled brush and a denture cleanser that isn’t too harsh or abrasive. Scrub the grooves to ensure that you get rid of food, plaque and other deposits, including denture adhesive.
  • Don’t use denture cleansers inside your mouth.
  • Soak dentures overnight in water or a mild denture-soaking solution because most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Rinse dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth as some of the chemicals may cause vomiting, pain or burns.
  • Stay away from abrasive cleaning materials such as stiff-bristled brushes, strong cleansers and harsh toothpaste, as they are too abrasive and can damage your dentures.
  • Whitening toothpaste and products with bleach should also be avoided.
  • Don’t soak your dentures in hot or boiling water because it may bend out of shape.

Consistent cleaning not only extends the life of your dentures, but also helps maintain your oral health.

Visiting a Dentist

Dentists not only supervise the creating of dentures but also instruct patients on their proper care and usage.

See your dentist if you have loose-fitting dentures.  Loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection. Relining ensures that dentures are fitting properly. Your dentist may recommend a new denture if relining does not resolve the concern.

Your dentist may recommend your dentures to be replaced in one of the following conditions; if …

  • chronic irritation (inflammation) exists beneath the denture bases.
  • denture adhesives are required for eating, or when adhesives must be used more than once daily.
  • a person cannot, or will not, wear the prostheses.
  • the dentures have degraded significantly and does not fit well anymore.
  • there is a change in the teeth supporting a removable partial or overdenture.
  • it has been more than 5 years since the denture was fabricated.

Schedule regular visits to your dentist.

Denture Cleaners

Like natural teeth, dentures should be cleaned daily to remove food particles and bacteria, and to help prevent dentures from becoming permanently stained. It is best to clean your dentures with products made specifically for it.

Firstly start cleaning your dentures by rinsing away loose food particles and removing any denture adhesive. That should be followed by using a commercial denture cleanser for removable dentures, which come as tablets, creams, pastes, gels and solutions. These can be bought at your local pharmacy. Denture cleanser tablets are dropped into warm water to create an effervescent solution into which the denture is placed. Soaking dentures in cleaning solution can help reduce the bacterial load which may reduce denture-related odour. Manufacturer instructions should be followed regarding the amount of time dentures should be soaked. Denture-cleansing creams, pastes or gels are typically meant to be brushed on the denture after it is removed from the mouth and then rinsed off according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use denture cleansers while your dentures are still in your mouth.

Avoid using bleach or powdered household cleansers for cleaning their denture, as this may damage the denture.

Denture Adhesives

Denture adhesives, also called denture adherents, are creams, powders, wafers or strips that are used to hold dentures firmly in place. The adhesive also helps form a seal that keeps food particles from sticking between the dentures and gums. Adhesive is applied to clean dentures, which are then positioned in the mouth and held in place for a few seconds, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use more adhesive than recommended.

A film of saliva is often all that is needed to hold dentures in place. Denture adhesives may be useful for those with a condition called dry mouth (xerostomia).

What Food to Avoid with Dentures

Certain foods can put your dentures at risk of damage.

  • Boiled sweets (hard candy) because they tend to be too sticky.
  • Popcorn, apples, carrot sticks, and corn on the cob — the hard nature of these foods will cause damage to the denture itself, as well as wear down on the gums.
  • Food with small, hard pieces such as seeds and nuts or popcorn kernels should be avoided because they can get stuck underneath implanted dentures or in between the teeth on a denture set.
  • Tough meat puts unnecessary stress on dentures and should be avoided.
  • Sticky foods such as gummies and peanut butter should also be avoided because they tend to move dentures out of place, allowing food to get under them and irritate the gums.

Denture Stomatitis

Denture stomatitis causes redness, swelling and tenderness in the mouth. While the condition is most common among denture wearers, it can affect anyone. You can reduce your risk for oral stomatitis by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly.

What is denture stomatitis?

Denture stomatitis (or oral stomatitis) is usually caused by candida — a type of fungus (yeast). It’s normal to have small amounts of candida in your mouth. But when there’s an imbalance, the candida can grow out of control, resulting in a fungal infection. Stomatitis caused by candida is also commonly referred to as thrush.

People with denture stomatitis may notice redness, irritation or swelling in the mouth, especially on the palate (roof of the mouth). Thrush — which looks like light-coloured patches — may appear on the gums, lips, inner cheeks, tongue and palate. Some people develop cracking at the corners of the mouth.

Denture stomatitis is one of the most common conditions affecting denture wearers. Research studies have shown that the condition affects up to 70 % of denture wearers. Statistically, people who wear full dentures are more likely to develop the condition than those who wear partial dentures.

It is normal for people with dentures to experience gum irritation from time to time. However, if you notice red, swollen or patchy areas, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.

Symptoms and Causes

People with denture stomatitis may develop varying symptoms. Some of the most common include:

  • Pain or discomfort when swallowing.
  • Soreness in the mouth or throat.
  • White or red patches on the tongue, gums, lips, inner cheeks or roof of mouth.
  • Sores or cracks in the corners of the mouth.

There are several factors that can result in the development of denture stomatitis. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Wearing your dentures for prolonged periods of time (such as while you sleep).
  • Poor oral hygiene.
  • A diet high in sugars and carbohydrates.
  • Smoking.
  • Alcohol use.
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Management and Treatment

There are a few different treatment options for people with oral stomatitis:

  • Anti-fungal treatment: The first line of defence is usually anti-fungal medication, such as nystatin or miconazole. Speak to your pharmacist or your dentist.
  • Laser therapy: Your dentist may use low-energy laser therapy to treat oral stomatitis, especially when anti-fungal medications don’t work.
  • Surgical removal: Some patients develop small nodules on the roof of their mouth. This can interfere with your denture and prevent it from fitting properly. In these cases, your dentist may perform minor surgery to remove those nodules.

Fungal infections usually take a while to clear up and medications should be used exactly as prescribed. Healing times can vary from person to person. However, most people feel better within two weeks of starting treatment.

Prevention

Denture stomatitis can be uncomfortable and frustrating. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to treat the condition and reduce your risk for future flare-ups.

You can reduce the risk of denture stomatitis by practicing excellent oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day and swish with an antimicrobial mouthwash. You should also avoid smoking, as it can increase your risk for oral infections. Another recommendation is to take your dentures out for at least eight hours every day (such as when you’re sleeping). This will give your tissues a rest and prevent denture sores from developing.

Conclusion

Make an effort to continuously take good care of your dentures, including a regular cleaning routine.

It is normal for people with dentures to experience gum irritation from time to time.

Visit your dentist on a regular basis because they can rule out more serious issues and design a personalised treatment plan to assist you.

Take good care of your dentures, and smile with confidence!

Speak to your healthcare professional to discuss the available product options from LeBasi Pharmaceuticals.

Reference

https://www.mayoclinic.org/denture-care/expert-answers/faq-20058375  Accessed 16 January 2025.

Internal Referance Links:

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