Denture Care
Take good care of your mouth.
It is important to keep your mouth clean as well as your dentures. Brush any remaining teeth, gums and tongue twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems.
Have a look at our guide to keeping your mouth healthy.
Eat the right foods.
When you first start wearing dentures, eat soft foods cut into small pieces and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth, then gradually start eating other types of foods until you are back to your old diet.
Do try to avoid chewing gum and any food that is sticky, hard or sharp-edged.
Clean your dentures properly twice a day.
This removes plaque and food and reduces the likelihood of problems such as bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and oral thrush.
Brush your dentures with toothpaste or soap and water before soaking them to remove food particles.
Soak your dentures in a fizzy solution of denture-cleaning tablets to remove stains and bacteria (follow the manufacturer's instructions).
Brush them again, as you would your normal teeth, but don't scrub too hard.
Never use toothpicks.
Your dentures may break if you drop them, so clean them over a bowl or a sink filled with water, or something soft such as a folded towel.
Look after your dentures
At first, you may need to wear your dentures all the time, including while sleeping. Your dentist can advise whether you should remove your dentures before you go to sleep. It isn't always necessary to remove your dentures at night but removing your dentures at night can allow your gums to rest as you sleep.
Keep them moist to stop the denture material from drying out and altering in shape. You can use water or a polythene bag with some dampened cotton wool in it, or a suitable overnight denture cleaning solution.
Check your dentures fit
Check your dentures are fitting properly and see your dentist if they:
click when you are talking
tend to slip, or you feel they no longer fit properly
feel uncomfortable
are visibly worn.
Visit your dentist if you have signs of gum disease or tooth decay, such as bleeding gums or bad breath. Keep any regular or follow-up appointments.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.