Whether your parent is new to wearing dentures or whether you’re new to helping your parent keep his dentures clean and in good condition, there are some basic care steps you can take together to keep your parent’s dentures in the best shape and guarantee they’ll last your parent a long time.
- Brush your parent’s dentures at least once a day, preferably twice.
Your parent should remove and gently clean his dentures daily. After removal, he should soak and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque, and other deposits. Your parent should not use regular toothpaste. If he doesn’t have denture cleanser, have your elder care provider add it to his next shopping trip list. While brushing, if your parents uses denture adhesive, he should clean the grooves that fit against the gums to remove any remaining adhesive.
- Soak your parent’s dentures overnight. Most dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape and retain their comfort when worn. Each night, your parent should place his dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution. If he hasn’t done this before, review the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and soaking solutions with him before he starts this step.
- Rinse dentures thoroughly before putting them back in his mouth.
This is especially important if your parent uses a denture-soaking solution. Those solutions can contain harmful chemicals that cause vomiting, pain or burns if swallowed. If your parent needs to freshen his mouth before putting in his dentures, he should use regular toothpaste and mouthwash. To help make sure your parent follows this practice of rinsing his dentures before placing them in his mouth, his elder care provider (or you) should have him store his dentures in the bathroom, not by his bed.
- Handle your parent’s dentures carefully.
Be sure you or your parent’s elder care provider doesn’t bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning. Be careful about holding them over a sink or the bathroom floor, making sure not to drop them. You might want to place a towel or washcloth over the sink whenever you handle his dentures so if they slip and fall, they’ll have a soft landing spot.
- Always remove and rinse dentures after eating.
After each meal, remind your parent to run water over his dentures to remove food debris and other loose particles. You can ask your elder care provider to remind him as well.
- Schedule regular dental checkups for your parent.
Your parent may not think he needs them since he has dentures, but dental visits are important to your parent’s oral health. His dentist will recommend how often to visit to have his dentures examined and professionally cleaned. If your parent has any questions about his dentures or how they fit, his dentist can help ensure a proper fit to prevent slippage and discomfort. His dentist will also check the inside of his mouth to make sure it’s healthy.
Dentures require proper care to keep them clean, free from stains, and looking and feeling their best. Follow these steps as you help your parent keep his dentures in top-notch shape.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care in Silver Spring, MD please contact the caring staff at Just Divine Home Care Agency today at (301) 219-1585.