First of all, hello! This is my first News post on this page so I had better do a quick introduction. I am Jenny the CDT of JC Dentures, so what is a CDT? The letters CDT stand for Clinical Denture Technician but what this actually means is that I have trained to create dentures and also to treat denture patients without having to have a dentist present. In other countries this profession is called being a Denturist which I like because it make it very clear what I actually do.
Right, back to the dentures. Since I have begun treating patients in this role I have become more aware that there seems to be a bit of a misinformation about keeping your dentures clean so this is a back to basics post about how to take the best possible care of your dentures.
Dentures need to be cleaned every day in order to keep your mouth clean and healthy and to keep your dentures in the best possible condition. It is important to clean your dentures at least twice a day as you would do with natural teeth (ideally after every meal). Remove your dentures from your mouth to clean them effectively. Hold your denture between your fingers, not in a cupped hand, over a basin of warm water or a folded towel in case you drop them. When it comes to cleaning dentures the best thing to use is a soft toothbrush with soap and water, NOT toothpaste. Toothpaste has been designed for cleaning natural teeth and has abrasives in it that can scratch the surface of dentures. Use a soft bristled denture brush to gently remove debris from the surface of the denture, pay particular attention to the fitting or underside of the denture.
Use a gentle tapping motion to clean between the small spaces of the teeth. Avoid hard scrubbing as this can also wear the surface of the denture. It is best to leave dentures out at night to give the soft tissues of your mouth a break. You wouldn’t wear your shoes to bed after all. If you leave your dentures out overnight place them in a container of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt. Use a good denture cleaning product once a week as directed and thoroughly rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth.
What about partial dentures?
If you have a partial denture it is important to follow the above cleaning advice. Always remove the partial dentures from your mouth when cleaning them. When you have removed the dentures it is also important to maintain your own natural teeth and reduce chances of decay by cleaning them at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. And don’t forget to visit your dentist for regular check ups to help preserve the health of your remaining teeth. Please remember that dentures don’t last forever – so you’ll need to replace your dentures when they get worn down. It is also important not to attempt to alter or repair your dentures yourself. But that is a post for another day.