Though your dentures may be visibly clean after a quick 5 minute soak and a once over with your denture brush, dentures require prolonged soaking in order to be disinfected properly. Here are 4 reasons you should make sure your dentures get a good soak each night.
Soak dentures overnight.
Most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Check with your dentist about properly storing your dentures overnight. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on cleaning and soaking solutions.
You can also use bottled or tap water. But do not leave your device in it for more than 12 hours. It is vital to avoid hot water because it can ruin the plastic of dentures. Call the dentist to know how to store your dentures overnight properly.
While brushing is important, you must also soak your dentures in water or a denture-soaking solution overnight. If dentures dry out, they can become brittle and lose their shape.
How Long Can you Keep Dentures Out of Water? You should generally try to keep dentures in water when you are not wearing them. However, if you don't have a cup of water to store them in, they will be fine for a few days without being stored in water.
If you use dental adhesive with your dentures, this should be removed with gentle scrubbing every day. Soak your dentures overnight night in a denture-cleaning solution like Polident Pro Guard & Retainer Antibacterial Daily Cleanser. Cleaning solutions help remove stains and plaque left on your dentures.
A solution of half vinegar and half water can be used as a denture cleanser and will make your dentures whiter than most commercial dental cleansers. First, soak your dentures in the solution. Then brush them thoroughly since soaking alone will not remove debris.
Items like toothpicks or dental scrapers are not recommended to use on dentures since they can easily slip and damage your mouth tissue. Avoid Abrasive Cleaning Materials. Avoid brushes with stiff bristles, harsh toothpaste, or strong cleansers, as these could damage your dentures. Forget about Whitening Toothpastes.
Using Polident 3 Minute Daily Cleanser
Drop one Polident Daily Cleanser tablet into enough very warm (not hot) water to cover the partial/denture. After soaking for 3-5 minutes, or overnight if you prefer, brush partial/denture with the solution using a soft denture brush.
Can you perform oral sex? Of course it is. Many people are afraid to kiss another person or perform oral sex for fear that their partner – if he or she doesn't know – will notice that they have dentures.
Soak your dentures in cool water or denture cleaning solution when you aren't wearing them. Avoid using very hot water when cleaning or soaking your dentures to avoid warping or damaging them. If your dentures have metal attachments, take care to avoid any denture cleaning solution that might tarnish the metal.
Summary. In conclusion, it is generally recommended that you remove your dentures before going to bed and soak them overnight. This will help keep your gums healthy and prevent potential damage to the dentures themselves.
Use a denture cleanser. (Conventional toothpaste, bleach, vinegar and soap are not designed for denture cleaning and could, in some cases, cause damage. Scratched dentures will harbor unsightly plaque bacteria, causing denture odor. Harsh products like bleach may even turn the pink parts of your dentures white.)
White vinegar effectively removes plaque buildup and bacteria from your dentures. There no need to dilute the vinegar. Just fill up a cup with it and soak the device overnight. Take the dentures out in the morning, and clean it with a toothbrush to remove all the debris.
As a result, you should wear them for around 8 hours a day. It's generally recommended to take them out when you go to bed, but you also shouldn't eat with your dentures in the beginning. Your gums might be a bit sore, and adding extra pressure during chewing will only make the discomfort worse.
Loose or ill-fitting dentures can cause pain by rubbing against the delicate tissues of your gums. Upper denture problems can make it difficult to enjoy your food. Because it covers taste buds on the roof of your tongue, a small slip can make it difficult to taste.
Eat Carefully
If you need to bite down on hard food, such as an apple, use your canines instead of your front teeth. Otherwise, you can cause your dentures to slip and slide around, hurting your gums. Make sure you distribute your food evenly on both sides in the back of your mouth when you chew.
Worst foods to eat with new dentures
Until your mouth gets used to your dentures, it's recommended to avoid any foods that are hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky, sour, or spicy. Even after your gums have healed, it's best to eat the following foods with caution.
Instructions for cleaning dentures/partials:
Use an antibacterial dish soap (Dawn is recommended) and a denture brush or a soft toothbrush to clean the appliance. Be sure to clean your appliance after each meal as well as brush and rinse your mouth.
A denture reline fills in the gaps and gives your denture a snugger denture fit. Especially for upper dentures, this often keeps dentures in place without adhesive. Getting upper dentures to stay is easier because they cover your palate and this creates extra suction.
When cleaning your dentures, it's important to avoid using hot water as this can cause them to warp or break. Make sure you are using only lukewarm or cool water, and gently brush the denture with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Also, never soak your dentures in boiling water, as this can damage the material's surface.
Please keep the denture(s) in your mouth for the first 2 days and nights, removing them only for cleaning after 24 hours, unless otherwise specified by your dentist. Thereafter, the denture(s) should be removed and left out of your mouth at night time.
Polident is specifically formulated to help remove plaque and stains. It also has proven bactericidal activity, killing 99.9% of odour causing bacteria*. We recommend soaking daily with Polident denture cleanser followed by brushing with the solution and a thorough rinse under running water.