Mishaps in Denture Cleaning: Recognizing Four Errors and Strategies to Prevent Them
Removable dentures require careful cleaning, handling, and storage to prevent damage and maintain oral health. Dentist Julia Thome from the Cologne Dental Center Carree Dental offers expert advice on avoiding common pitfalls.
Careless Handling Can Lead to Damage
Dentures are fragile and must be treated carefully. When removing them, always hold them by the sturdy plastic and metal parts, not the delicate attachment parts or clasps that can bend. To prevent accidental drops, line the sink with a soft towel before cleaning.
Clean Dentures After Every Meal
Cleaning the denture once in the morning and evening is not sufficient. Thome recommends cleaning the denture after each meal to remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup. Don't forget to clean the surfaces that rest on the gums or palate as well.
Abrasive Toothpaste Should be Avoided
Regular toothpaste contains abrasive particles that can scratch the surface of the denture, so it's best to use soap or a cleaning paste specifically designed for dentures instead. Use a denture brush to scrub the denture under warm running water for thorough cleaning. Denture cleaning tablets alone are not enough for cleaning, according to Thome.
Avoid Soaking Dentures in Disinfectant Overnight
Dentures should be removed from the mouth at night unless a dentist advises otherwise, as they can irritate the mucous membranes. However, it's best to store them in tap water instead of a disinfectant solution, as the aggressive substances in the solution can make the material brittle over time.
By heeding these recommendations, removable dentures can be maintained properly, minimizing the risk of damage and ensuring oral health. In addition to these practices, it's important to brush the gums, tongue, and palate daily, even with full dentures, and to have partial dentures professionally adjusted if they feel loose or uncomfortable.
Science and health-and-wellness are interconnected in the care of removable dentures. Regular cleaning, careful handling, and proper storage are essential in science, as they help to prevent damage and promote oral health-and-wellness. On the flip side, disinfectant solutions can possibly harm the material over time, affecting both science (durability of the dentures) and health-and-wellness (oral health).
