Denture care instructions

Question 1

General challenges

Answer 1

• You and your family and friends might notice a difference in your appearance when you’re wearing your dentures
• It is not unusual to find that the dentures feel large and difficult to control when speaking and eating
• You may notice an increase of saliva in your mouth
• In a few days this increase of saliva will disappear and your speech will return to normal
• It can take a few weeks for you to become accustomed to the new dentures
• Eat mainly soft foods for the first few days and don’t take large bites. Cut food into small portions and chew with the back teeth, evenly on both sides of the mouth at once

Question 2

When to wear dentures

Answer 2

• For the first week wear them day and night to help you get used to them more quickly
• From then on leave them out at night as your mouth needs a rest from the dentures to remain healthy. It is good to keep them in a container of cool water most nights, and a denture cleanser like Dentural at least twice a week

Question 3

Cleaning denture

Answer 3

• It is important to keep your dentures clean. Rinse them after each meal and brush them morning and night using an ordinary soft toothbrush, soap and water ensuring to cover all surfaces
• Don’t use your normal toothpaste because it is abrasive and can take away the denture’s shine
• If you would prefer to use a toothpaste use a more gentle denture toothpaste such as Dentu-Creme
• Do this over a sink filled with water as it reduces the chance of the denture breaking if you were to drop it
• Even with brushing, it is possible for a clear film of plaque to develop on the denture which can cause the gums to be inflamed, so we recommend soaking in a denture cleanser. You can purchase denture cleansers form your local pharmacy (e.g. Dentural) and follow the instructions for it carefully. Normally soaking a couple of nights per week is sufficient.

Question 4

Soreness of your mouth

Answer 4

• New dentures can cause areas of soreness
• We will arrange to see you again to see how you’re getting on with your denture and if there’s any problems we can address them
• If soreness is severe and you have to leave your dentures out, make sure you put them back in the mouth 24 hours before the appointment so that the troublesome area can be identified
• If mild soreness persists – continue to wear the dentures but make an appointment in the Prosthetics department

Question 5

General OH

Answer 5

Having a denture in increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease so it is essential to keep up with really good oral hygiene and diet

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

I know we have discussed a lot of information today so I’ll leave you with a leaflet covering the advice I have just given. Also it is still important for you to visit the dentist as they also check the soft parts of your mouth including your tongue. Do you have any questions? It was nice meeting you & I hope you get on well with these dentures.