Denture home care: How to clean dentures

Clean your dentures every day—twice a day if you can—to get rid of plaque and food particles. When cleaning, hold them over a towel or fill the sink with water so they won’t break if dropped. Use a denture brush to clean all parts, including the tissue side, teeth, and outer surfaces. Many denture brushes have medium or hard bristles, but the type of cleaner you use matters more than the bristle firmness. Use liquid soap, mild hand soap, or a nonabrasive denture paste to clean off any debris.

How to hold dentures while brushing them?

To properly clean your upper complete denture and avoid damage, it’s important to hold it correctly during brushing. Use your non-dominant hand to firmly support the denture, gripping it by the sides of the pink acrylic base. While holding the denture securely, use your dominant hand to brush all surfaces using a soft or medium-bristle denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner or mild soap. Be sure to clean the inner surface that rests against your gums, as well as the outer surface and teeth. Always brush your denture over a soft towel or a sink filled with water to prevent breakage if dropped.

When cleaning your lower denture, it’s very important to hold it correctly to prevent damage and ensure a thorough clean. Always hold the denture gently from one end rather than squeezing both sides at once. Applying pressure to both ends can cause the denture to fracture along the middle, which is a common break point in lower dentures.

How to care for dentures: tips for daily oral care

1. Always store dentures in water. Keeping dentures in water helps prevent them from drying out or warping due to loss of moisture.Do not use hot water for cleaning

2. Cleaning dentures with hot water can cause them to warp or lose shape

3. Avoid using undiluted bleach. Never soak dentures in straight chlorine bleach, as it can fade the pink acrylic colour and damage any metal parts on partial dentures

4. Clean dentures over a soft surface. To prevent breakage, clean your dentures over a towel or a sink filled with water in case they are accidentally dropped

5. Stay away from abrasive cleaners. Do not use regular toothpaste or harsh household cleaners, as these can scratch and wear down the denture teeth

Choosing the right denture brush: recommended features

1. Head Design - One large flat head for cleaning outer surfaces - One smaller pointed or tapered head for reaching hard-to-access areas

2. Soft to Medium Bristles - Gentle on denture materials - Prevents scratching of acrylic or artificial teeth - Avoids potential damage that hard bristles can cause over time

3. Ergonomic Handle - Non-slip, easy-to-grip handle for enhanced control - Especially beneficial for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity

You can clean the clasps on partial dentures using the pointed end of a two-headed denture brush. Be gentle to avoid bending or damaging them. Wearing a partial denture can raise your risk of tooth decay, so make sure to brush your natural teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once daily. Try to avoid sugary or starchy snacks.

Can you sleep with dentures in?

It's not recommended to sleep with your dentures in. Dentures are foreign objects that put constant pressure on your gums, just like you wouldn't sleep in your shoes—your gums need a break

Wearing dentures overnight can lead to several problems, including:

• Sore spots

• Denture stomatitis

• Fungal infections, such as Candida

To keep your oral tissues healthy:

• Remove your dentures before bed.

• Gently brush your gums with a soft toothbrush.

• Use a rubber tip or your finger to massage your gums and improve blood flow

If you absolutely cannot remove your dentures at night, try to take them out for at least 4 hours during the day to give your gums a chance to rest. Remember, the oral mucosa is delicate, and wearing dentures for too long is a leading cause of irritation and infection.

When should you replace your dentures? A guide to denture lifespan

Denture replacement is generally recommended every 5 to 7 years. This is due to the fact that our jawbones continue to change over time, especially after tooth loss. When teeth are absent, the jawbone gradually shrinks—a natural and irreversible process. As this occurs, dentures that once fit well may become loose and uncomfortable. Ill-fitting dentures can shift while speaking or eating, create sore spots by rubbing against the gums, and lose their proper retention. Additionally, over time, the oral tissues become thinner and more susceptible to injury, making a poor fit even more problematic. In some cases, new dentures may not be necessary, as relining could be an option.

• Another reason for replacing dentures is the wear and tear on the materials themselves. Most denture teeth are made from acrylic or composite resin, which can wear down over time, affecting your ability to chew effectively. This wear can also impact your appearance; the lower face may begin to look shorter or sunken, and you might develop issues like angular cheilitis, which is irritation and redness at the corners of the mouth.

• The pink denture base can also crack, stain, or accumulate buildup, which irritates your gums and can cause bad odors. To prevent complications, it is important to have your dentures checked by your dentist or denturist at least once a year. Regular check-ups allow for early adjustments, relines, or timely replacements, ensuring your dentures remain comfortable, functional, and healthy for your mouth. Don’t wait for pain or discomfort—keeping up with denture care protects your long-term oral health.

It is important to keep your follow-up appointments on time—do not ignore them.

Should you repair or adjust your dentures yourself?

If you’re feeling pain or discomfort, please don’t try to adjust your dentures at home. Doing so can cause irreversible damage without actually solving the problem. Your oral care provider needs to examine both your mouth and your dentures to determine the cause of your discomfort and the best way to correct it.

If you've already made changes to your dentures, any future professional adjustment will likely be more difficult—and more costly—because the original fit has been altered. To avoid damage and unpleasant experiences, always seek professional help.

Never try to fix sharp edges on your dentures yourself. Many people attempt to file or saw them down, but this usually doesn’t help and often makes things worse. The same goes for adjusting clasps or uncomfortable denture bases—these are best left to your dentist or denturist.

Do you need denture adhesive?

Denture adhesives are a topic of ongoing debate. Some experts argue that if a denture is well-made and properly fitted, adhesives should not be necessary. Others, however, recognize their value—especially in challenging clinical situations. One fact remains clear: adhesives cannot correct the fit of a poorly made denture. Despite this, research has shown that adhesives can enhance retention, improve chewing efficiency, and—perhaps most importantly—boost patient confidence.

Even well-made dentures—particularly lower dentures—may struggle to stay in place due to factors such as severe jawbone resorption (a common consequence of long-term edentulism) and muscle control difficulties caused by conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or trauma. In such cases, denture adhesives can serve as a helpful adjunct to improve both function and comfort.

Denture adhesives are generally classified into two types: water-soluble and non–water-soluble. The water-soluble types are more commonly used and come in forms such as pastes, creams, or powders. Their primary ingredients include sugar-like compounds such as carboxymethylcellulose and polymethyl vinyl ether–maleic anhydride, along with other additives like zinc. These materials absorb moisture, swell, and help fill the space between the denture base and the oral mucosa, thereby improving retention and comfort. The non–water-soluble adhesives, which include pads, strips, or wafers, are used less frequently and typically reserved for specific clinical situations.

The literature emphasizes that zinc-containing denture adhesives may cause side effects and should be used with caution. Overuse, especially prolonged use of excessive amounts, can lead to systemic zinc toxicity. If you use denture adhesives regularly, it is important to consult with your denture care provider about the safest options for you.

How to apply adhesive?

Applying powder denture adhesives: Step-by-step guide

1. Clean your dentures and gently brush your gums with a soft brush

2. While the denture is still moist, apply a very small amount of denture powder adhesive in a thin, even layer on the gum-facing surface of the denture

3. Take a small sip of water, place the denture in your mouth, press it in place with your fingers, then swallow and gently bite down to hold the denture in position

How to apply cream denture adhesives: Step-by-step guide

1. Clean your dentures and mouth thoroughly

2. Dry the denture completely

3. Apply small pea-sized dabs of cream adhesive—about five for the upper denture and three for the lower—on the gum-facing side. Insert the denture into your mouth, press it in place with your fingers, then swallow and gently bite down to secure it

4. After using denture adhesives, it’s important to thoroughly clean both your dentures and your mouth

To wrap up, brush your dentures daily. Remember that food that remains on dentures serves as a source of germs and can irritate your oral mucosa, or gums. Having no teeth is a condition that causes your jawbone to shrink, meaning that your previous dentures may no longer fit well and could cause harm.

Dentures are appliances—they need maintenance. Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary to keep your mouth healthy and your denture fit properly.

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