Advice for denture wearers

Question 1

Dentures

Answer 1

provide additional areas for bacterial plaque to accumulate, besides that which develops on the teeth + gingival crevices.

Question 2

Must be taught on correct cleaning

Answer 2

this includes edentulous pts who may develop fungal infection called stomatitis if they fail to remove + clean

Question 3

Some pts will be carers

Answer 3

who attend OH duties of others in nursing + residential homes + it is important they are encouraged to develop a system of correct cleaning techniques without mixing up several sets of dentures at a time meaning pts may be exposed to cross infection

Question 4

1.

Answer 4

A demo of how to insert + remove the dentures given if pt is present, with them practising in-front of mirror
Advised to avoid wearing them overnight to avoid the development of oral fungal infections (thrush)

Question 5

2.

Answer 5

The dentures should be stored overnight in pot containing water or soaking agent like steradent (acrylic dentures) or Dentural (metal dentures)
do not soak metal dentures in bleach as can corrode

Question 6

3.

Answer 6

should be cleaned after every meal using denture brush + denture toothpaste as some ordinary can be too abrasive on acrylic teeth
demo the technique of cleaning all surfaces and over a bowl of water to avoid damage if they are dropped

Question 7

4.

Answer 7

the pt must eat soft foods initially, while oral soft tissues acclimatise to the protheses and take time to chew foods to avoid causing indigestion by swallowing large food particles

Question 8

5.

Answer 8

Pt can help Harden the soft tissues by hot salt water mouthwashes initially, or dentures will rub and be sore
the nurse must advice pt to return to surgery if any ulceration occurs beneath the dentures, as further adjustments are likely to be required to remove high spots + deep flange edges