Dentures are used in place of missing teeth. They are removable and can therefore be taken out and put back into the mouth. The two types of dentures are complete and partial dentures. Complete denture to mean you are missing all your teeth and partial to mean it is just a tooth or few teeth. Dentures will feel totally different from one's ordinary teeth and therefore takes some time getting used to. Keep smiling with the following tips for maintaining your dentures in really good shape.

Handle your dentures carefully

Handle them with care to avoid damaging the clasps during cleaning. You might also consider placing a towel on the counter, standing over a towel or putting some water in the sink to prevent the dentures from breaking if you happened to drop them.

Brush your dentures daily

As much as they are not your natural teeth, they still require regular and quality cleaning. Brushing them removes plaque, food and other deposits. Gently clean them by soaking and later brushing using a mildly abrasive cleanser. The denture cleanser should not be used in one's mouth. This prevents your dentures from staining and tartar building on them.

Soak dentures overnight

Most dentures to retain their shape require soaking overnight. Use warm water for dentures with metal clasps and half water-half vinegar solution for those without. A special cleanser for dentures can also be used to get rid of bacteria and tartar. Be cautious never to use hot water as it can cause warping.

Look after your whole mouth

Cleaning your mouth is very important regardless of having complete dentures. Brush your gums, tongue, cheeks and palate using a soft-bristled brush. This helps tissue stimulation and removal of plaque.

Rinse your dentures after soaking

Remember to rinse you dentures every time before you put them back especially if you had soaked them in denture soaking solutions. Some soaking solutions contain harmful chemicals that may lead to health problems like vomiting and pain.

Schedule for regular dental checkup

Visiting a dentist regularly allows you get professional advice on denture care and oral hygiene. It is also during these visits that you get examined for any tissue problem and just making sure that your mouth is indeed healthy.

Watch for changes in fit

You may need to check with your dentist if your dentures fill wrong. If dentures do not fill right it may be as a result of gum and mouth bones changing over time. That leads to an improper fit which can cause problems like sores, infection, irritation and pain. Do not attempt adjusting loose dentures yourself as it could lead to beyond repair damage.

Dentures, whether complete or partial, require proper care for a healthy mouth.