Caring for your new dentures
Last edited: 20/12/2022
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- Remember to clean your dentures thoroughly. This will help avoid any infections developing under them.
- Your dentures should be removed and cleaned twice a day. You will find this easy to remember if you work it into your routine morning and evening care.
- Dentures can be cleaned with a normal tooth brush and water or a non-abrasive denture cleaner.
- Make sure you clean the whole of the denture inside and outside, removing all food debris.
- When you clean your dentures do this over a basin with water in it or line the basin with a towel, this acts as a cushion, as dentures may break if dropped onto a hard surface.
- When not in use, dentures should be kept in a wet environment. Drying of dentures is not recommended.
- You may soak your dentures in warm water with a small amount of denture cleaning agent.
- Keep your dentures out of reach of children and pets.
Useful tips when wearing your new dentures
- Dentures are tooth replacements and you will have to learn how to use them, for example how to bite, chew and speak.
- You may choose to wear your denture over night for the first few days. Sometimes this can help you get used to them if you are new to wearing dentures. However, once you are used to wearing your dentures it is advisable to remove them over night.
- You may find a little denture fixative helpful to keep them in place at times.
- It is common for new dentures to need adjustment and some people take a while to get used to them. If you are having particular trouble or they are causing discomfort consult your dentist.
- If you do not wear your dentures for a long time you might find it difficult to put them back into your mouth as your gums might shrink.
- It may be helpful if the dentures are rubbing to put them in your mouth prior to attending an appointment with the dentist, so the dentist will be able to see any sore spots in your mouth.
- Do not perform any alterations or adjustments yourself. Always consult your dentist.
Additional information
If you wear full dentures it is still recommended to have regular examinations (approximately once a year). This enables the dentist to examine your general oral health and pick up any potential problems before they advance.
Please note, this is a custom-made medical device that has been manufactured to satisfy the design characteristics and properties specified by the prescriber for the above named patient. This medical device is intended for exclusive use by this patient and conforms to the relevant essential requirements specified in Annex I of the Medical Devices Directive and the United Kingdom Medical Devices Regulations.
Contact us
0300 123 4412
kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Referral team
0330 123 9438
kcht.communitydentalservice@nhs.net
Post to Capital House, Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
Dental head office
0300 7900 158
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
This information should only be followed on the advice of a healthcare professional.
Do you have feedback about our health services?
0800 030 4550
Text 07899 903499
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
kentchft.PALS@nhs.net
kentcht.nhs.uk/PALS
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Trinity House, 110-120 Upper Pemberton
Ashford
Kent
TN25 4AZ
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