Oral Hygiene Care for Partial & Denture Patients

Wearing partials and dentures does not permit forgetting the care of your mouth.
Patients wearing removable appliances, partials and dentures, require daily oral hygiene and regular yearly dental check-ups.  Plaque (bacteria) and tartar continue to be present in the mouth even when natural teeth are missing.  Also, the mouth is dynamic and continues to change over time.

Oral Hygiene:  removable appliances are food and bacteria traps.  Ideally, removing the appliance after eating and at least rinsing with water is recommended.  2 times per day, morning and bedtime, appliances should be removed and any teeth should be cleaned with a toothbrush using a fluoride toothpaste, floss or other cleaning aids.  Also, the appliances need to be brushed.  Liquid dish soap is a good cleanser.  The gums need to be cleaned/massaged with a brush too.  Appliances should be left out of the mouth while sleeping to allow tissues to air and stay healthy. At least once per year any natural teeth/implants need to be professionally cleaned to remove tartar build-up and prevent gum disease.

Dry Mouth:  illnesses, medicines and aging can cause dry mouth symptoms.  A dry mouth is dangerous as it contributes to increased decay and gum disease.  Dry mouth products are available:  biotene rinse, oasis spray, etc.  Sipping water is helpful.  Avoid sucking on sugar containing candies, mints and cough drops. 

Rinses:  warm, salt water is the best and most economical rinse for the mouth tissues. Avoid any rinses that “burn” the mouth, commonly ones with alcohol, which can irritate the mouth tissues.  If natural teeth are present a “fluoride” rinse (ACT) is recommended to aid in preventing tooth decay.

Soaks:  when out of the mouth, appliances should be soaked in water.  Over the counter agents can be used, however; always brush the appliances after soaking before placing back into the mouth.  Tartar will build on your appliances; a mixture of water and white vinegar will loosen the calcified build-up, allowing to be brushed off.  NEVER soak appliances with metal in bleach, as this corrodes and weakens the metal causing breakage.

Proper Fit:  a yearly exam is recommended to evaluate the fit of your appliances.  Over time the tissues shrink, the bite changes and adjustments will be needed.  At any time, if a sore spot develops, call for a minor adjustment to relieve the problem area.

Oral Cancer:  regularly perform a “self-check” of the oral tissues:  tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks and lips, looking for any lumps, bumps or sores that bleed or do not heal. 

*** Gum tissue should not bleed with routine care of mouth – if bleeding is observed have it checked by dentist or dental hygienist.