There’s a story about a man from Chennai in India from January of this year, who wore his dentures to bed and choked in his sleep. The denture got stuck in his esophagus and had to be surgically removed. Luckily, the man survived, but it could have ended much worse for him.
The story highlights the importance of taking out your dentures at night. I always recommend that patients of my Calgary denture clinic take their dentures out every night and soak them in a disinfecting solution – mainly for oral health reasons, but also to avoid unforeseen problems such as choking.
That said, there are several tips I like to share about proper care for your dentures, whether they’re partial dentures or a full set. Here are some of the keys on how to handle your dentures and maintain a healthy mouth:
Be careful with your dentures. Handle them gently and avoid dropping them. You should also try not to bend or break the plastic parts or the clasps when you’re cleaning them. If you do bend or crack something, give me a call to repair them immediately, so you can have your dentures back quickly.
Remove your dentures after eating. You should run them under water to remove bits of food. Consider closing the sink drain and filling it with some water first, just in case you drop your dentures while rinsing them – in which case, be sure your sink is very clean first!
Brush your dentures twice a day. The same rules apply as brushing natural teeth. In the case of dentures, though, use only a non-abrasive cleanser. Be sure to clean the grooves that fit against your gums if you use denture adhesive. All this gets rid of food particles and bacteria that can build up in your dentures.
Keep your mouth clean, too. After removing your dentures, brush your teeth and mouth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle toothpaste. Make sure to gently brush the insides of your cheeks and your tongue. Don’t use denture cleanser inside your mouth.
Soak your dentures overnight. There are two reasons: Your dentures need to stay moist so they don’t crack, and denture-soaking solutions help kill bacteria. If you have questions about this, it’s best to call me at 403-475-0016 so I can give information about how to care for your specific dentures. After soaking your dentures, though, always rinse them in water before putting them back in your mouth.
Come see me – often! It’s important to make sure your dentures are in good shape, are clean, and fit perfectly. Making regular appointments with your denturist in Calgary is very good practice.
Call me at Future Smiles Denture Clinic in SW Calgary today at 403-475-0016 for tips on caring for your dentures, or to schedule an appointment to make sure your dentures fit perfectly and are in good repair.
