Clean your dentures every day. Take them out, rinse off loose food, and brush every surface with a soft brush and mild liquid soap or a denture cleanser, not regular toothpaste. Take them out at night so your gums can rest, and rinse them before you put them back in.
That covers most of it. Below is the routine step by step, what to avoid, extra tips for partial dentures, and the signs that your dentures need a check.
Why dentures need daily cleaning
Plaque and tartar build up on dentures the same way they build up on natural teeth, according to the Canadian Dental Association. If it is not removed, plaque on a denture can lead to infection.
Your gums and tongue need care too. If you wear a partial denture, the natural teeth you still have can get gum disease, so they need brushing and flossing just like before.
A daily routine for complete dentures
- Set up a safe spot. Clean your dentures over a folded towel or a sink with some water in it. Dentures can crack or break if they slip out of your hand onto a hard surface.
- Rinse after meals. Take the dentures out and rinse them under cool running water to remove loose bits of food.
- Brush every surface. At least once a day, and ideally morning and evening, brush the teeth, the pink base, and the inside surface that sits against your gums. Use a denture brush or a soft toothbrush with mild liquid hand soap or a denture cleanser.
- Clean your mouth. With the dentures out, brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush. If the brush feels rough, run it under warm water to soften it, or use a clean, damp cloth wrapped around your finger.
- Rinse before you put them back in. Rinse the dentures in clean water so no soap or cleanser goes back into your mouth.
What not to use on dentures
- Regular toothpaste. Toothpaste made for natural teeth can scratch the denture surface. Several Canadian and UK dental guides advise mild soap or a denture cleanser instead.
- Hot or boiling water. The American Dental Association warns that hot or boiling water can warp a denture. Warm or cool water is fine.
- Stiff brushes and harsh cleaners. Dentures should be cleaned with something nonabrasive. If you are not sure about a product, bring it to your next visit and ask us.
- Home repairs. If a denture cracks, a tooth comes off, or a clasp bends, please do not glue it or bend it back yourself. Bring it in and let us take a look.
What to do with your dentures overnight
Take your dentures out every night, unless your dentist has told you otherwise. Giving your gums a break from the pressure of the denture is part of keeping them healthy.
The Canadian Dental Association suggests soaking dentures overnight in a denture cleanser, in warm water, or in a mix of half warm water and half vinegar. Soaking loosens plaque and tartar, so it brushes off more easily in the morning. If your denture has metal clasps, soak it in warm water only.
Not every guide agrees on overnight storage. Some Canadian tip sheets recommend keeping dentures dry in a denture cup. If you were given instructions for your own denture, follow those. If you are not sure which suits yours, ask us at your next visit.
Extra care for partial dentures
Partial dentures need the same daily cleaning as complete dentures, plus a little more attention in a few places:
- Take it out the right way. Use your fingers to pull the metal clasps gently toward the biting surface of your teeth. Being gentle helps you avoid bending a clasp.
- Clean the clasps. Clean the metal clasps carefully every day. Your pharmacist can point you to a small clasp brush that makes this easier.
- Brush and floss your natural teeth. Pay extra attention to the teeth the clasps hold onto.
- Watch your gums. A partial denture will not sit firmly over gums that are sore, swollen or bleeding. If your gums are tender, let us check them.
Signs your dentures need a check
Dentures are durable and can last many years, but they may need to be adjusted, repaired or remade over time. Your mouth keeps changing, so a denture that fit well at first may not fit the same way a few years later.
Well-fitting dentures should feel comfortable and help you chew and speak. Call us if you notice:
- Sore spots, redness or swelling on your gums
- A denture that feels loose, slips, or rocks when you chew
- New trouble chewing or speaking clearly
- A crack, a chip, or a tooth that has come loose from the denture
- Needing more and more adhesive to keep the denture in place
Adhesive can help for a while, but it does not fix a denture that no longer fits. A denture that feels loose or causes discomfort may need a reline or a replacement. If you have immediate dentures, which are placed on the same day the teeth are removed, expect some adjustments once your gums have healed and shrunk.
Do you still need dental visits with dentures?
Yes. Regular visits are still important when you wear dentures, whether you have some natural teeth or none. At a dental exam, we can check the fit and condition of your denture, look at your gums and the soft tissues of your mouth, and do an oral cancer screening. If you have natural teeth left, our hygienists clean them and check them for decay and gum disease.
These visits are also a good time to bring any questions about cleaning products, sore spots or overnight storage.
Does CDCP cover denture repairs and relines?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) lists complete dentures, denture repairs, relines and rebases among its covered services. Partial dentures are covered too, but they need preauthorization from the plan first. Whether you pay part of the cost depends on your adjusted family net income. Below $70,000 there is no co-payment on the CDCP fee. Between $70,000 and $89,999 you pay part of it. You may also have extra costs if a service costs more than the plan pays, so it is always worth asking before treatment what you will pay yourself.
We accept CDCP patients. If you have your coverage details from Sun Life, we will help you understand what your plan includes and take care of the paperwork. You can read more on our Fees and Insurance page. We also accept most private dental insurance plans and can send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance company, so you know what your benefits will cover.
Book a denture check in Three Hills
If your dentures feel loose, rub, or need a repair, or you are thinking about getting dentures for the first time, we can help. Learn more about our complete and partial dentures, call us at (403) 443-2199, or request an appointment online. We welcome patients from Three Hills and across Kneehill County.
