Dentures are made of various synthetic materials: acrylic, flexible acrylic, metal, plastic, porcelain or a combination of these.
Caring for Dentures
Over time, your denture will need to be relined, remade or rebased as a result of normal wear. Rebasing requires making a new base, while keeping the existing denture teeth. As you age, your mouth naturally changes shape. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see us annually for a checkup.
Here are tips to help you care for dentures:
- When handling dentures, stand over a folded towel or basin of water. Dentures are delicate and may break if dropped.
- Don’t let dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you’re not wearing them. Never use hot water, which can cause dentures to warp.
- Brushing dentures daily will remove food and dental plaque, and help prevent them from becoming stained. A denture cleanser may be used to care for dentures, but it does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
- Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.
- See your dentist if dentures break, chip, crack, or become loose. Don’t be tempted to adjust them yourself — this can damage them beyond repair.
