Precautions When Using Dentures

During implant treatment, patients will use temporary dentures. So this time, I’d like to tell you about the precautions you should keep in mind when using temporary dentures.

1. When you first put in dentures, it is common for the gums to become sore and painful. In severe cases, you may leave them out, but you should put them back in about 4 hours before coming to the dental clinic so that it is easier to identify which area hurts. Under no circumstances should patients use tools to grind down their dentures themselves.

2. At first, the dentures may look awkward when you wear them, but they gradually begin to look natural. There are often many difficulties with pronunciation as well, but most people overcome them within a few weeks. Practicing by reading newspapers or books out loud is very helpful.

3. If the feeling of a foreign object makes you produce a lot of saliva, try dissolving a piece of candy in your mouth or rinsing your mouth with cold water. This is temporary and does not last long.

4. It takes 6–8 weeks to use new dentures properly. You should practice chewing soft foods (tofu, jelly, porridge, eggs, etc.) by cutting them into small pieces and chewing slowly and evenly on both sides. Never chew gum.

5. When you go to bed at night, it is good to remove the dentures and store them in water, then put them back in the next morning. Our gum tissue also needs rest.

6. Just like natural teeth, dentures should be kept clean to prevent staining and food buildup. They should be brushed at least twice a day, and after snacks it is good to rinse them with cold water.

7. To prevent dentures from falling out of your hands and breaking, you should brush them while sitting over a basin filled with water or with a wet towel laid underneath. A toothbrush that is too stiff is not good.

8. Never clean dentures with toothpaste. It will wear them down and make them thinner. It is good to clean them with dish detergent on an old toothbrush.

9. If you take the dentures out, it is best to keep them submerged in water. Leaving them exposed to the air can cause food debris to dry and stick, making the dentures easy to stain, and it may also cause deformation.

10. Never boil dentures in water to disinfect them. This will deform the dentures.