How to Take Care of Dentures At Home
By Richard Hamaty | Published on August 24, 2010 | 0 Comments
Making sure to take dentures out and soak them each night is the single best thing that a patient can do to take care of dentures at home, according to Dr. Richard Hamaty, a cosmetic dentistry specialist in Yorba Linda, California.
Dr. Hamaty tells all of his patients to take their dentures out each night in order to let their gums breathe and relax. Because the gums are the main supporting media for the dentures, they need to be as healthy and pink as possible. If the gums are not ever allowed to breathe, however, then there is an increased chance of bacteria accumulating in the mouth and infection setting in.
When dentures are taken out each night, Dr. Hamaty says that they need to be brushed thoroughly with a toothbrush and possibly even with toothpaste as well. Essentially, the denture wearer needs to create a very clean surface along the edge of the appliance that will be touching the gums when he puts them in the next morning, since a denture that is covered in bacteria is not one that you’d want inside your mouth, according to Dr. Hamaty.
During the nighttime, dentures should be soaked in a cleaning solution. For most of Dr. Hamaty’s cosmetic dentistry patients, the easiest way to make sure this happens every night is to keep a small cup out in the bathroom all the time. This cup can then be filled with just enough water to keep the dentures damp. Then, the denture wearer simply needs to set the appliance in the solution before heading to bed.
A person who does not take out his dentures each night has an increased likelihood of bacteria buildup and other problems along these lines. If a person were to sleep in his dentures regularly, then his mouth would most likely become full of plaque, according to Dr. Hamaty. This, of course, is on top of the bacteria accumulation on the dentures themselves.
This denture bacteria, over time, can also begin to multiply, which can cause severe redness in the gums. In the other supporting structures of the mouth, there would be a high chance that a fungus called Candida could begin to grow. Candida will generally cause the surface of the floor of the mouth to turn white and begin to peel. This feels very raw and creates a burning sensation that is too painful to ignore for most people, explains Dr. Hamaty. To avoid getting Candida and experiencing these painful symptoms, Dr. Hamaty says that all a person needs to do is to take out his dentures regularly and care for them by brushing them and leaving them in a simple cleaning solution each night.
Additionally, people who have recently lost or gained a great deal of weight should have their dentures checked out as well, since the mouth can change shape along with the rest of the body during periods of extreme weight fluctuation. Dr. Hamaty tells us that if a patient were to lose weight, then his dentures would most likely become very loose because his gums are shrinking right along with his waistline. Meanwhile, if a patient were to gain a great deal of weight in a short period of time, then his dentures could become too tight and might start to pinch or rub against the tissue in his mouth, causing some sore spots to appear.
Even in the best of circumstances though, Dr. Hamaty says that dentures will only last between five and 10 years. During those years, patients may need some small realignments or adjustments made. After the 10 year mark though, it is a good idea for patients to visit their dentists for new dentures.
For anyone in Yorba Linda interested in finding out more about how to properly care for dentures, Dr. Hamaty recommends calling his cosmetic dentistry practice and asking for a check-up or a consultation.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.