Dentures give people who have lost teeth their chewing and their smile back. Like anything you use every day, they last when they are looked after and wear out fast when they are not, and a neglected denture brings mouth problems with it. Here is the care routine we give patients at the clinic.
Why denture care matters
Plaque and tartar build up on a denture just as they do on natural teeth. That build-up causes bad breath, red and inflamed gums under the denture, and in some people a fungal infection of the mouth. A denture that is misused, bitten into something hard or worn on after it has gone loose, cracks or rubs the gum into a sore. Good care protects the denture and your mouth at the same time.
How to clean dentures properly
- Take them out and rinse them under clean water after every meal, before food dries on.
- Brush them at least once a day with a soft toothbrush or a denture brush. Use a denture cleaner or mild soap rather than toothpaste. The abrasive in toothpaste scratches the surface, and scratches hold stains.
- Brush over a basin of water or a folded towel so a dropped denture does not break.
- Clean your mouth too. Brush your gums, palate and tongue gently with a soft brush. If you still have natural teeth, brush and floss them as usual and keep up your scaling and cleaning visits.
Storing dentures when they are out
- Take your dentures out every night so the gums get a rest from the pressure.
- Soak them in clean water or a denture solution, following the label. An acrylic base that dries out warps and turns brittle, and it will not fit the same way again.
- Never rinse or soak them in hot water. Heat distorts the denture.
- Keep them in a lidded container, out of reach of children and pets, so they are not dropped or contaminated.
- Rinse the solution off completely before you put them back in the next morning.
Precautions when wearing dentures
- Avoid hard foods such as bones, ice and hard nuts. Dentures can crack and the gum underneath bruises.
- In the early days, start with soft food cut small, and chew on both sides at once so the denture does not tip.
- Watch for pain, sores, red patches or irritation. If you notice any, come in and let us check. Do not keep wearing a denture that hurts.
- If a denture starts to feel loose, do not fix it with adhesive on your own. Adhesive hides the problem for a while but does not solve it. In most cases we can adjust or reline the denture so it fits again.
- Never bend a clasp or glue a broken denture yourself. Keep the pieces and bring them to the clinic.
The denture that falls out mid-meal
Plenty of patients come to us after a denture has come out while they were eating. One was halfway through a piece of crispy pork when the denture landed on the plate. It sounds funny, but the cause is nearly always the same: years of wear without a check-up. Gums and jawbone change shape slowly over time, so a denture that once fitted well works loose bit by bit.
The fix is usually simple. If the fit is only a little off, we reline or adjust it. If the denture is very old or badly worn, it may be time for a new set. So when you first feel a denture start to move, come in then. Do not wait for it to come out at dinner.
How often to come in
We suggest a denture and mouth check at least once a year, or every six months if you still have natural teeth. We check the fit, wear and the condition of your gums, and we clean the denture for you. Fees for dentures and adjustments are on the price list. They are starting prices, and we confirm the exact cost after an examination.
Book a consultation
If your denture feels loose, hurts, or you would just like us to check it is still doing its job, come in. It does not take long, and most adjustments are done the same day.
- LINE
- Phone: 098 831 0246
- Open daily 10:00–20:00 (closed Tuesdays)
- Tooth Boutique Dental Clinic, Venice Di Iris, Vacharapol Road, Bang Khen, Bangkok. Parking available.