Your dentures aren’t just a financial investment, they’re an investment in your overall health too.

The more care you take looking after them, the greater the chance that you’ll reap the benefits of your investment for longer – health wise and cost wise.

Our professional team here at Discount Dentures has many years of experience in quality, affordable dentures and we know exactly what you should and shouldn’t do to get the most from your dentures.  After all, they are truly life-changing devices and when they’re professionally fitted to the unique shape of your mouth and face and cared for properly, they open up a whole new world of possibility in terms of lifestyle, speech, eating and socialising.

As you know, we strongly recommend that you don’t sleep with your dentures in.  This will help prevent a host of possible health issues including swollen gums, candida and even pneumonia – but you do need to make sure that you store them correctly overnight.

Here are our top five tips about storing your dentures:

  1. Be waterwise

Dentures are made from a special acrylic that is designed to handle everyday use.  However, if the material dries out, it can lead to the dentures warping, distorting or cracking and this can negatively affect the fit, comfort and aesthetics of the dentures.   To prevent them from drying out, you should always store your dentures in water overnight or when they’re not being used (making sure that they are totally covered) so that material keeps its shape and its integrity.  Another little tip is to keep them in a covered container so that nothing can drop in and contaminate the water.

  1. Use a cleaning product

You can add special cleaning tablets to the water while your dentures are soaking which can help remove light stains and bacteria and loosen any build-up of plaque and tartar.  If you do use a cleaning product however, make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as brands can differ and each one may have slightly different procedures.

Dentures that have metal attachments may tarnish if they are stored incorrectly, so always check with your dental professional as to the best storage methods for your particular device.

  1. Hot is not good

Avoid storing your dentures in very hot or boiling water as it can damage them.  High temperatures can cause the plastic base to warp which will then lead to problems with fitting.

  1. Keep away from children and pets

Your dentures won’t harm your kids or your pets if they get hold of them, but kids and pets can certainly harm your dentures!  If they’re not stored in an out-of-reach place, there’s a risk that an inquisitive child could play with them and drop them accidentally or your pet may chew them.  Storing them high up or in a childproof cabinet is the best solution.

  1. Clean them over water

Even though dentures are made from a resilient material, they can become damaged if they’re dropped from a height onto a hard surface.  So, to avoid having to rush off for an emergency denture repair, remember to clean your dentures over a basin of water which will provide a soft landing should you drop them.

When cared for properly, your dentures will give you a lasting smile that you can be proud of.  If you have any queries or concerns about dentures, our team of dental experts at our denture clinics in Perth and Joondalup are happy to answer any of your questions and will take the time to explain all aspects of dentures, from cleaning, storing, fitting, replacement dentures, emergency dentures and so on.  We offer a wide range of dental services to meet your needs and you can get in touch with our specialist today.