Key Takeaways
What you need to know about denture care:
- Clean your dentures with liquid hand soap and a denture brush, then rinse well with water.
- Your gum and bones can change with time, but your dentist can make adjustments to your dentures to ensure they still fit.
- Visiting your dentist is still necessary, even if you have dentures.
- Review our guidelines on caring for dentures.
If you are missing some of your natural teeth, you may want to think about filling out your smile with dentures. Dentures help with speech, chewing and swallowing. Visit your dentist to find out if dentures are right for you.
Cleaning Your Dentures
Taking care of your dentures is important to your oral health. Here are some tips on how to keep them in good condition.
- Clean dentures twice a day.
- Dentures must be removed from the mouth before cleaning.
- Clean dentures with a denture brush or soft toothbrush using liquid hand soap or denture toothpaste. Do not use toothpaste as this may scratch the denture.
- Brush any natural teeth and clean the mouth and gums with a moist toothbrush before reinserting the dentures.
- Store dentures dry overnight to allow the mouth time to rest.
- Visit the dentist regularly.
Download our Caring for Dentures fact sheet.
What to Do When Your Dentures Don’t Fit
Your dentures shouldn’t change shape, but sometimes the shape of your mouth will. If your gums or the bone supporting your dentures change, the fit of your dentures may be affected. If this happens to you, please see your dentist so they can make adjustments. In an emergency, you may be able to apply dental adhesive to ensure the dentures are stable until you see the dentist.
You Still Need to See Your Dentist
Even if you have dentures it is still important to visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will examine your mouth to check for any problems with the tongue, the joints of the jaw, as well as screen you for disease (e.g. oral cancer). Many issues including disease are treatable when identified at an early stage.
Lower Your Risk!
It’s never too late to take care of your teeth. Learn how to prevent dental disease.