Dentures replace missing teeth, but they still need daily care, and so does your mouth. This short guide sets out the American Dental Association’s (ADA) advice for cleaning, storing and adjusting to dentures, and when to call your dentist. For choosing a type, see full vs partial dentures.
Getting used to new dentures
The ADA says new dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks. They may feel loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold them in place. Minor irritation or soreness and a temporary increase in saliva are not unusual and should fade. Follow-up visits are generally needed to check and adjust the fit. Call your dentist if irritation or soreness persists.
With immediate dentures, placed the same day teeth are removed, the ADA notes you may need a reline or remake after your jaw heals.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) adds that your gums change shape over time, so dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced. Let your dentist make those adjustments rather than doing it yourself.
Eating with dentures
The NIA suggests these steps while you learn to eat with dentures:
- Start with soft, nonsticky food.
- Cut food into small pieces.
- Chew slowly, using both sides of your mouth.
- Avoid small crunchy foods, such as popcorn kernels, that can get trapped under the dentures and hurt your gums.
Take care with hot food and drinks too. The NIA notes dentures can make it harder to feel heat or to notice bones and other hard bits in food.
Daily cleaning
Your dentures
- Rinse first to remove loose food and debris.
- Brush daily to remove food and plaque. The ADA says this also helps prevent staining.
- Use a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive cleanser on all surfaces so they don’t get scratched.
Your mouth
Even with full dentures, the ADA says to brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before putting your dentures in. This stimulates circulation and removes plaque. Cleaning your gums, cheeks, palate and tongue helps reduce irritation and bad breath.
Storing dentures
When you’re not wearing them, the ADA says to keep dentures in a safe place covered in water so they don’t warp. The NIA suggests soaking them at night in water or a denture-cleansing liquid and leaving them out while you sleep to prevent swollen gums.
A simple daily routine
- Morning: brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft brush, then put in clean dentures.
- Before brushing them: rinse dentures to remove loose food and debris.
- Once a day: brush the dentures with a non-abrasive denture cleanser.
- Night: take them out and soak them in water or a denture-cleansing liquid.
These steps follow the ADA and NIA advice above. Your dentist may give you instructions for your own dentures, so follow those first.
Adhesives
Adhesives come as creams, powders, pads or wafers, strips and liquids. The ADA says to read the instructions and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend cleansers and adhesives. Look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
When to see your dentist
- Dentures stop fitting well, or are damaged.
- Soreness or irritation doesn’t go away.
- Dentures feel loose as your gums change shape. The NIA says they may need adjusting or replacing.
- For regular checkups. The ADA says your dentist will check that the dentures still fit properly.
If you care for an older relative, see our guide to oral health for older adults.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular toothpaste on dentures?
The ADA recommends a non-abrasive cleanser so dentures aren’t scratched. Ask your dentist which product suits your dentures.
Do I still need dental checkups with full dentures?
Yes. The ADA recommends regular checkups so your dentist can examine your mouth and check the fit.
Why should dentures be kept in water?
The ADA says keeping them covered in water prevents warping.
Should I sleep in my dentures?
The NIA advises leaving dentures out while you sleep to prevent swollen gums.
Sources
By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.
Featured image: “An experiment on how dentures can be affected by the substances we use most often in our daily lives” by Олег Перевалов и Яна Гришай, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 4.0. Resized and compressed for the web.
Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.