Denture Care in Rapid City, SD: What Our Dentists Want You to Know

If you wear dentures, a few daily habits decide how comfortable they feel and how long they keep fitting well. Ask Dr. Mason Hericks what he finds himself explaining to patients again and again, and his answer is denture care. Dentures have been one of the most personal services we offer at Orchard Meadows Family Dental for nearly two decades, so here's the denture care advice our dentists give patients in Rapid City and Spearfish, from bedtime habits to what to do when a denture starts to slip.

Should you sleep in your dentures?

No. Take your dentures out at night and give your gums a rest. Dr. Hericks sees patients who wear their dentures around the clock, and when those dentures finally come out, the tissue underneath is red and irritated, sometimes with a fungal infection.

That kind of infection is often oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth, and wearing dentures is one of the things that raises the risk of it, according to the Mayo Clinic's guide to oral thrush.

Wear your dentures through the day, take them out before bed, and store them in plain water overnight. Dentures need to stay moist when you're not wearing them so they keep their shape.

What's the best way to clean dentures?

Brush your dentures every day with a denture brush and a drop of mild dish soap, then rinse them well. Dr. Hericks keeps the routine gentle: soap, water and a brush, with nothing abrasive.

1. Rinse your dentures after you eat to clear away food.
2. Once a day, scrub every surface with a denture brush and a little dish soap and water.
3. If you like denture cleaning tablets, soak your dentures for about 30 minutes, then brush and rinse. Dr. Hericks doesn't recommend leaving dentures in those cleaners overnight.
4. Rinse well before you put your dentures back in.
5. At bedtime, store them in plain water.

Skip regular toothpaste. Some people brush their dentures with it for the minty taste, and it can scratch the finish. If you miss that fresh feeling, Dr. Hericks suggests a short soak in an alcohol-free mouthwash instead. The American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to dentures also recommends a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner.

How do you take care of your mouth when your dentures are out?

Brush your gums, your tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush every day, even if you have no natural teeth left. Dr. Hericks recommends gently brushing your gums to stimulate them, and brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper to clear away bacteria and debris.

While you're brushing, notice how your mouth looks and feels. If you see sore spots, redness or irritation that doesn't settle down, call us instead of waiting for your next visit.

Why does my denture feel loose now?

A denture that fit well at first can start to slip because your gums and jawbone change shape over time. The good news is that a loose denture has several fixes.

Dr. Mark Garner, our owner and lead dentist, walks patients through the options. We can reline or rebase your current denture so it fits your mouth again, make you a new denture, or place implants so your denture snaps in and out or stays fixed in place.

Dr. Hericks encourages denture wearers to consider an implant-retained denture, especially for a lower denture that moves around when you eat or talk. With implants in the bone holding it steady, you can enjoy a meal or a conversation without worrying about your denture shifting.

If you were told years ago that you weren't a candidate for implants, that may have changed. You can read more about our full, partial and implant-supported dentures, and we'll look at what fits your mouth today.

How often should you see a dentist if you wear dentures?

Keep up regular dental checkups, even with a full set of dentures. Checkups let your dentist see how your denture fits and look after the health of your gums and the rest of your mouth.

Between visits, call us if your denture cracks, chips, rubs or feels loose. Please don't try to bend, glue or adjust it at home; small changes to the fit are best made in the office.

If your dentures feel loose, sore or just not right, we'd love to help. Call us at (605) 737-3150 or send us a message to schedule a visit at our Rapid City or Spearfish dental office.

Published by Orchard Meadows Dental.