When you have lost all of your natural teeth, dentures are considered one of the most economical and efficient options for smile restoration. In the process of obtaining dentures, you and the dentist will work through several steps to make sure your dentures fit comfortably, work well, and look natural. With the proper level of care, dentures can easily last for many years. Take a look at a few tips to help you properly care for your new dentures. 

Clean Dentures and Your Mouth After a Meal 

Just as you would clean your natural teeth after a meal, your dentures should be cleaned as well. Once you are done eating, make an effort to clean your teeth and mouth to remove any food particles or residue. This will help prevent acidic foods and foods that can cause stains from breaking down the surface materials of your dentures. 

Handle Dentures with Care When They Are Out of Your Mouth 

Taking dentures out for cleaning or to give your mouth a rest are normal parts of having these prosthetic teeth. However, many people accidentally damage their dentures when they take them out. For example, even though modern denture materials are highly resilient, they can break or chip if you drop them on a hard surface. Always hold your dentures over a soft towel while cleaning a handle them with care. 

Avoid Extremely Crunchy Foods 

Dentures restore a good percentage of your chewing power. However, you do have to be mindful about avoiding certain foods, as biting down on something extremely crunchy could cause breakage. For example, chewing on a piece of hard candy, a popcorn kernel, or extra-crunchy bread may cause enough impact to cause breakage. Just remember, if a food is so crunchy that it could damage your natural teeth, there is a potential that it could damage dentures. 

Use Approved Solutions for Denture Cleaning 

Certain cleaning methods and agents should be avoided, so you don't accidentally damage the denture materials. Avoid: 

• Scalding hot water 
• Bleach or bleaching agents 
• Whitening toothpaste, strips, or products 
• Abrasive chemicals 

Trust only recommended products for cleaning your dentures, such as overnight solutions for soaking and denture-safe toothpaste. 

Find Out More About Smile Replacement with Dentures

Are you interested in obtaining dentures to restore your speech, smile, and chewing capacity? Reach out to our team to schedule a consultation to get started.