Caring for Your New Dentures
Plaque forms on dentures just as it does on natural teeth. If it is not removed on a daily basis, your dentures may not look as white and bright and you may experience denture odor. It is very important to clean your dentures every day following this simple regimen.

1. Clean your dentures over a sink filled with water so if you drop them they will not break against the sink.

2. Rinse your dentures thoroughly in cool to lukewarm water to remove any loose food particles. Be careful not to use hot water because it can warp your dentures. Rinse your denture thoroughly after every meal.

3. Use a denture cleanser or a denture toothpaste to clean your dentures. Conventional toothpastes or baking soda should not be used. They may be too abrasive and can scratch your dentures.

4. Use a moistened denture brush (not a soft-bristle brush) to clean all surfaces of the dentures. Be careful not to brush too hard as this can damage any plastic or metal parts of the dentures.

5. Rinse dentures well in clean water using the brush to remove all traces of the denture cleanser. Again, do not use hot water.

6. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your natural teeth, gums, tongue and palate before reinserting. This will remove plaque from your mouth, stimulate circulation and help maintain good oral hygiene of your supporting tissues.

7. Rinse with a mouthwash for a fresh mouth feeling.

8. Remove dentures every night before retiring. It is very important for your supporting bone and tissue to get a regular "rest" and some "room to breathe". Store your dentures in water in a plastic container to prevent them from drying out.

IMPORTANT:
Don't make adjustments or repairs yourself. Always seek your dentist's help immediately if t-..ere is any change in the comfort or fit of your denture.

What to expect with your dentures
Now that we have inserted your immediate dentures after extracting some or all of your teeth. The Dentures at this point, even though they are "custom-made" to your individual needs, will not fit perfectly. You must realize new dentures will feel strange and unnatural at first. The Dentures will feel like "second nature" and be more comfortable as adjustments are made and your healing improves. Usually the first forty eight (48) hours following the placement of your Dentures are the most intimidating and we hope these written instructions will provide some help to you.

After a few weeks, you will be more at ease and your gums will be adapted to wearing a full denture.

It is very important that you wear your denture every day. If you don't wear your denture for an extended period of time, the denture may no longer fit as well as it should.
Over time, your mouth will change. The bone and gum areas may shrink or recede, causing the space between the jaws to change. Because your denture keeps its shape, adjustments will be needed to keep your denture fitting properly. Always consult your dentist rather than trying to fix the problem yourself. Trying to adjust dentures yourself will only cause more difficulties

Speaking
Many new denture wearers have difficulty with their speech at first. A common problem is pronouncing words containing "s" sounds. You may also notice an increase in the sound level of your voice, a change that is more noticeable to you than to anyone else. If your dentures "click" when you speak, try speaking more slowly. This will help you to avoid movements that raise or move the denture.
Confident long-term denture wear

To maintain good oral health, you should continue to see the dentist regularly even if you wear both upper and lower dentures. It is very important to do an oral cancer screening at least once every year to be sure your mouth and jaw are healthy and supporting your dentures properly. During your visit, the dentist will check the fit of your dentures, make any necessary adjustments and professionally clean your dentures. If you have any remaining natural teeth, they will be cleaned at this time also in order to help you keep the teeth you have.

With proper dental care and regular dental checkups, your dentures will be a healthy, natural part of your life. Of course, even with the best care, it may be necessary to have your dentures remade after a number of years. This can be because the bony ridge in your mouth that your dentures rest on goes through natural changes over time. These changes cause your dentures to fit improperly. Whenever you sense your dentures are not fitting properly, schedule an appointment with us to see what can be done. Sometimes a reline may be sufficient and tighten up the fit or perhaps it is time for a new one. We want everyone to have a properly fitting denture. One that fits comfortably and leaves them with the ability to eat whatever they choose.

Please follow these home care instructions carefully.
Remember as always we are here to help, if you have any questions
regarding your treatment, please do not hesitate to call.