Denture care, relines and repairs

How do I clean my dentures every day?

Clean them every day, the way you clean natural teeth. The ADA says partial and full dentures collect plaque, stains and calculus (hardened plaque) just like natural teeth. If they are not cleaned well, buildup can lead to mouth problems such as denture-related stomatitis. A simple routine does the job.

1. Rinse. Rinse away loose food. If you use adhesive, remove it too. The ADA says to remove adhesive with gentle scrubbing each day.
2. Brush. Use a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleanser. The ADA says commercial cleansers come as tablets, creams, pastes, gels and solutions. Cleveland Clinic suggests a brush made for dentures with mild hand soap, mild dish soap or denture cleanser.
3. Soak. Put dentures in a denture cleanser solution or in water when they are not in your mouth. Rinse them well after soaking, since the cleaning solution should not go in your mouth.
4. Clean over a soft surface. Cleveland Clinic suggests working over a towel or a sink of water, so a dropped denture is less likely to break.
5. Clean your mouth too. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says to brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth each morning with a soft brush before you put the denture in. This stimulates circulation and removes plaque.

Daily care also helps your mouth. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says cleaning your gums, cheeks, roof and tongue can help reduce oral irritation and bad breath.

What should I avoid when I clean dentures?

A few products and habits can damage a denture. The ADA and Cleveland Clinic list these:

One point differs between sources. The ADA says dentures can be cleaned with toothpaste or mild soap, warm water and a soft brush. Cleveland Clinic says not to use regular toothpaste or a regular toothbrush because they are abrasive and can scratch the plastic. Ask your dentist which one they prefer for your denture material.

Should I take my dentures out at night?

Most people do. Cleveland Clinic says most people sleep without them because it is more comfortable and gives the mouth tissues a rest. It advises taking dentures out for at least eight hours every day. This gives your gums a break, reduces harmful oral bacteria and helps keep your jawbone as strong as possible.

Put them in a glass of cool water or a denture solution overnight. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says to keep them covered in water so they do not warp. If you wear a fixed denture on implants, the rules are different, since you cannot take it out. Your dentist will give you a cleaning plan for that.

What are denture adhesives, and when are they a problem?

Adhesives are creams, powders, wafers or strips that help hold a denture in place. They can help a well-fitting denture feel steadier. The ADA says a film of saliva is often all that is needed, and that adhesive can be useful for people with dry mouth.

The ADA also gives cautions:

• Adhesive does not fix a poor fit. The ADA says denture adhesives are not a remedy for ill-fitting dentures, which may need to be relined or replaced to prevent oral sores.
• Some contain zinc. The ADA says overuse could add up to too much zinc in the body. It notes that zinc-free products exist and says to follow the directions.
• Use a small amount. If adhesive oozes out of the denture, it is probably too much.
• Needing it all the time is a sign. The ADA lists needing adhesive to eat, or using it more than once a day, as a reason to have the denture evaluated for replacement.

The glossary entry on denture adhesive gives a short definition. If you find yourself using more and more, tell your dentist.

What is a denture reline?

A reline refits the inside of the denture so it sits well on your gums. Cleveland Clinic says that during a reline, your dentist adds material to the denture to make the fit more comfortable. Gums and bone change shape over time, so a denture that fit last year may feel loose now.

Cleveland Clinic says you should get a reline every one to two years, or whenever you notice changes in how the denture fits. The glossary entry on denture reline explains the idea in a sentence. A related repair is a denture rebase, where the whole base is replaced and the same teeth are kept.

The ADA’s MouthHealthy site says follow-up visits are generally needed after a new denture is placed so the fit can be checked and adjusted. It adds that if problems persist, particularly irritation or soreness, you should consult your dentist.

What can a dentist repair?

Many breaks and chips can be repaired. Cleveland Clinic says that occasionally your dentist may need to refit the denture base or make a new one using the teeth in the existing denture. Typical repairs include:

• A crack or break in the base.
• A tooth that has come loose or fallen out.
• Adjusting a spot that rubs or causes a sore.
• A refit through a reline or rebase.

Town Center Dental describes its own approach on its denture repair page. Call the office to ask about timing for your situation.

If your denture breaks, keep every piece. Do not use glue or a kit. Cleveland Clinic says to schedule an appointment with your dentist instead. Mayo Clinic says to go to an emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or if you have a fever and facial swelling and cannot reach your dentist.

How do I care for a partial denture or an implant denture?

The routine is much the same, with a few differences. The ADA says partial dentures collect plaque, stains and calculus like full dentures, so they need the same daily cleaning.

For dentures on implants, the ADA notes that removing the denture gives access to the implant abutments for cleaning. Cleveland Clinic says a removable implant denture should be taken out each day, cleaned and soaked. A fixed one cannot be removed, so you brush it like natural teeth and clean under it with floss threaders and tiny interproximal brushes. Our guide on dentures vs implants explains these types.

How long does it take to get used to new dentures?

It takes time, and you may need adjustments. Cleveland Clinic says it can take weeks or sometimes months to get used to new dentures, and you may need several adjustments in the first couple of weeks. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site adds that new dentures may feel awkward and loose for a few weeks, while the cheek and tongue muscles learn to keep them in place.

It is not unusual to have minor irritation or soreness, or to produce more saliva for a while. These problems should fade as your mouth adjusts. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, call your dentist. Do not wait for it to pass, and do not file or bend the denture yourself.

What should I do if my denture breaks?

Stay calm and follow a few steps:

1. Take the denture out if it hurts or has sharp edges.
2. Keep every piece, including any loose teeth.
3. Store the pieces in water so they do not dry out or warp.
4. Do not use glue or a repair kit. Cleveland Clinic says you could ruin it for good.
5. Call your dentist and ask about the next step. Bring all the pieces.

Town Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday. If a break happens then, keep the pieces in water and call on the next open day.

What should I ask my dentist about my dentures?

A few questions make visits more useful:

1. Does my denture still fit well, or do I need a reline?
2. Which cleanser and brush do you advise for my denture material?
3. Can this crack or break be repaired, or does it need a new denture?
4. Do my gums and remaining teeth look healthy?
5. When should I come back for a fit check?

Why do my gums hurt or look red under my denture?

Soreness or redness under a denture needs a dentist’s attention. Cleveland Clinic says denture stomatitis is a type of thrush, a fungal infection, that affects denture wearers. It causes swelling, tenderness and discoloration where the denture covers the gums. Cleveland Clinic says research studies show it affects up to 67 percent of denture wearers worldwide, and full-denture wearers are more likely to get it than people with partials or implant-supported dentures.

Cleveland Clinic lists steps that lower the risk:

• Clean your dentures thoroughly before wearing them.
• Soak them every night in denture solution, or in an antifungal solution if your provider recommends it.
• Take them out at night.
• See your dentist regularly.

A poorly fitting denture can also rub and cause sores. Tell the dentist, and do not adjust it at home.

How long should dentures last, and when should I replace them?

Cleveland Clinic gives an average life of seven to 10 years for a denture. Another Cleveland Clinic page says dentures can last up to seven years with proper care. Use these as rough guides, not promises.

The ADA, citing a position statement from a national dental college, lists signs to have a denture checked for replacement:

• Ongoing irritation under the denture.
• Needing adhesive to eat, or using it more than once a day.
• A denture that is unstable, no longer fits well, or is cracked, broken, discolored or missing teeth.
• A change in the natural teeth that support a partial denture or overdenture.
• More than five years since the denture was made.

Regular checkups let your dentist check the denture, your gums and your remaining teeth together. Cleveland Clinic suggests an appointment if your dentures feel loose, hurt or pinch, click when you talk, or are damaged or discolored.

Next step

If your denture is loose, sore, cracked or older than you would like, an exam can show whether it needs a reline, a repair or a new set. Read about dentures at Town Center Dental, then call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment.