Caring For Dentures

St. Paul, Woodbury, Minneapolis, Hudson, Lake Elmo, Stillwater, Minnesota

Modern cosmetic dentistry has made enormous strides in improved dental technology, materials, and techniques. Dr. Nippoldt can make you an aesthetic denture that is far superior to anything our grandparents knew – more comfortable, more attractive, and more natural-looking.

When cleaning your dentures, be sure to handle it carefully and avoid dropping it. You might want to fill the bathroom sink with water and clean it over so that, if it does drop, it will not be damaged. Or you could use a folded towel.

Dentures need to be brushed and rinsed every day.  In fact, it is best to rinse them after each time you eat. Brushing will help keep it from becoming stained. Use a denture-cleaning brush, as it has soft bristles and a good shape. A brush with hard bristles could wear the denture surface down or damage it.

Denture Cleaners

• Use hand soap or a mild dishwashing detergent.
• Do not use a toothpaste to clean your denture, as it may be too abrasive.
• Do not use anything containing bleach, as that could fade the pink area of your denture.

There are cleaners available that use a special cleaning solution and ultrasound. The ultrasonic sound waves create motion in the fluid that removes food and deposits from your denture. If you choose to use an ultrasonic cleaner, remember that you  still need to also brush the dentures once a day.

When you are not wearing your dentures, keep them moist by placing in a soaking solution. If it has no metal attachments you may use a denture cleanser soaking solution.  If your denture has any metal attachments just use water so the metal does not tarnish. Never place your denture in hot water, as that could warp its shape.

In Case of Denture Damage
If your dentures become uncomfortable in any way, please contact us rather than use a “do-it-yourself” repair kit. Dr. Nippoldt will have it properly fixed or adjusted. If you try to adjust it yourself, you could weaken its structure. If it becomes cracked or chipped somehow, or if any of the teeth become loose, please call us immediately.

At some point, your removable denture will need to be relined or rebased. This is due to normal wear and tear and to changes in your mouth. Usually, the teeth can be kept and just the base is redone.

Cleaning Your Mouth
Remember that even with full dentures, it is still important to brush your mouth each morning before putting in the dentures. Brush the gums, tongue, and palate using a soft toothbrush. This removes  plaque that may have built-up during the night and stimulates blood circulation.

For best maintenance of your dental health, visit Dr. Nippoldt every six months so he can check your denture fit and examine your mouth for any oral disease.

For more about aesthetic dentures, please see our answers to Questions About Dentures.

If you would like to schedule a complimentary denture consultation with Dr. Nippoldt, please call or email us today. We serve the areas of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, and Lake Elmo, in Minnesota, as well as the Hudson, WI, areas. We look forward to meeting with you soon.