How to look after your dentures

Dentures are prosthetic devices that are normally constructed to replace missing teeth and are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. There are approximately 11 million UK residents who wear dentures and over 1 million of them are in fact aged under 30 years old. But what are the best ways to keep them and your mouth in good shape and avoid some of the common problems. Wash your dentures over a water-filled sink or soft towel as they can break very easily if dropped. Never use products such as bleach to clean them, as some people foolishly believe this will keep them white. Instead use a soft bristled toothbrush and either toothpaste or drop of mild liquid soap to clean them 2 times a day. Stain removing tablets also work but using a brush as well helps remove all dirt and bacteria. Take your dentures out at night and store them in denture cleanser solution or in cool water. If you would rather not remove them at night time, take them out for a few hours during the day. As this allows the gums underneath the chance to be bathed in saliva, which then breaks down bacteria and prevents infection. Any movement or rocking means that the dentures aren’t in place properly. Over time the shape of your gums and bones can change causing fitting problems, discomfort or even mouth ulcers. It is your dentist who can help prevent this, if your dentures are adjusted by them. For more information on this, please click on: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dentures/Pages/Introduction.aspx http://dentureprofessionals.org.uk/dentures/