“How Come No One Told Me That Before”

It is easy for me to forget that not everyone grew up in a family where dentures were the main topic of conversation at the dinner table every night. Working for my dad in this practice since I was 13 has made me take for granted some of the basics of denture care. After explaining some fundamental rules for cleaning and caring for dentures, I’ve heard several patients exclaim, “How come no one told me that before?” It made me wonder how many more people out there have never heard it either, and if putting into print would help
Denture Care 101

1. Always clean your dentures over a towel on the counter. If your denture slips out of your hands, it will be less likely to break on a towel than the tile sink.
2. You can use water or a product like Efferdent Denture Cleaner to clean your dentures. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package.
3. Brush your dentures after they have soaked overnight. In the office we use a bar of Ivory soap, but most patients prefer the minty flavor of denture paste. Do not use regular toothpaste on your denture, because it is too abrasive and can wear the plastic right off. Dentu-Creme and Complete are two examples of denture pastes that will not harm the denture. 
4. For removal of tartar and calcium deposits, you may soak your dentures in a 1:3 vinegar solution for 3-4 hours once a week, or less often as needed. Scrub well and rinse. The build-up should come right off.
5. When your dentures are not in your mouth, they should always be in water. This keeps them hydrated and prevents them from warping out of shape. Do not keep a spare set in water because it will mildew. However, if you need to wear your back-up set in an emergency, remember it will take some time to rehydrate before it starts feeling familiar again.
6. I strongly encourage you to take your dentures out at night. This allows the tissue in your mouth time to breathe. It also causes fewer denture sores and trauma to the bone as you are unable to clench or grind in your sleep.
Pop Quiz: What To Do If Your Denture Breaks?

Once a denture breaks, it will be up to your dentist to determine if it is repairable. He or she will weigh up factors, like the age of the denture and if pieces are missing, before telling you whether it can be done. Once broken, the integrity of the denture is compromised. Therefore, if it can be repaired, there is no guarantee to the longevity. So be careful! Otherwise...
1. Call the office first thing and arrange a time to bring in your clean denture.
2. Do not glue the denture back together yourself. It is nearly impossible for a technician to get all the glue out and piece the denture together again correctly. When this happens, the denture may no longer fit properly.
3. Be prepared to accept that if a tooth needs replacing, it may not match perfectly, especially if you take it to an office other than the one that made it. In most cases, the technician can match it so closely that you might not even notice, but this information should be given to you prior to agreeing on the repair.
4. Be prepared for a reasonable fee. Some insurances cover the cost of repairs so be sure to ask the financial coordinator.
While I don’t expect you to talk about denture care over your dinner table, I hope that my family’s meal time chatter will help you take better care of your dental investment. If you have any other questions or anecdotal solutions to common denture issues, feel free to call my office and share.