Phone 613 277 8700 for a free 
consultation or for any treatment questions.

Sergey Haletski, DD
Olga Haletskaia, DD
Denturists

Denture Care - How to take care of dentures

Learning to wear dentures is like learning to ride a bicycle – practice is necessary. Here are a few tips to make it easier for you to get the best from your new denture.

• The lower denture always feels much looser than the upper. Try to hold it down when you eat by spreading your tongue out at the back and taking your time to adjust to the new fit. With the lower denture, the best treatment is to have the denture secured with implants.

• When eating, take small mouthfuls of food at first and cut the food into small pieces so that you don’t bite with your front teeth. Wait until you are used to your dentures to use the front teeth, to ensure less irritation to your gums.
  

• Try to eat food on both sides of your mouth at the same time to ensure the correct position of the dentures while you are getting used to the new fit. Start with eating soft foods (such as eggs, fish, bread, soup) before trying harder items.
  

• Don’t worry about your speech being affected when you first receive your dentures. Once you become comfortable with the denture in your mouth, your speech will be normal as usual.

• When sleeping you should wear the dentures for the first two or three nights, this will help your gums and tissue get accustomed to them. After this, leave them out at night – the gums need rest to remain healthy. When you remove your dentures always store them in room temperature water, if they dry out, they may change shape and colour.
  

• Your dentures may cause sore spots during the first few days (this occurs while your gums and anatomy adjust). If you develop a sore spot, rinse your mouth in salt water solution. If the sore spots become uncomfortable and you are unable to wear the dentures, make an appointment for an adjustment.
  

• Clean your dentures thoroughly at night by using water and a soft denture brush. Take care to clean the dentures over a towel or a basin of water; if they are dropped they may break. Hold your lower denture in the middle, do not hold it by squeezing the ends together – it may fracture.

• Getting used to new dentures takes time, be patient, using salt water solution to rinse your mouth is recommended to speed up the process.
  

Life of a Denture
When dentures are first made they are smoothed and polished to prevent any stain buildup. Over time the polish wears away and dentures can accumulate stain and plaque. Visit our clinic for an appointment and we can remove stains and polish your dentures. We also have specific denture cleaners to prevent stain buildup to be used with the denture bath. Dentures usually last between 5 to 10 years. After years of wear the denture base will not be as strong as when it is first made and can break. The back teeth wear over time and need to be replaced to insure proper fit and comfort when chewing. If you have any questions about cleaning or maintaining your dentures we would be happy to give a few tips and solutions to any issue.
Dentures should be cleaned after every meal. Especially if you feel that food gets stuck underneath the fitting surface. When you remove a denture from your mouth you should clean out any adhesive and make sure the denture is clean. 

Sore Spots
The gums should be cleaned daily with a soft toothbrush or washcloth. This removes plaque and debris around the gums. Also massage the gums to stimulate circulation of tissue, helping them stay healthy and free of sore spots.

Massage the gums by placing the thumb and index finger over the ridge and use a “press and release” technique.

Salt water solution can be used for minor sores or inflammation of the gums. Take a cup of warm water and mix a tablespoon sea salt. Rinse your mouth in the solution to help with minor sore spots or irritation. If you have any concerns about your oral health visit the denture clinic or general practitioner.

Taking care of denture
Common questions about dentures

To schedule an appointment send us an email or call our office