8 November 2021
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Cleaning your dentures can be rather different from cleaning natural teeth. Perhaps the biggest difference is that dentures are detachable. Although you should be brushing your dentures, a large portion of the cleaning duties is addressed by soaking your dentures overnight in an appropriate cleaning solution. But oral hygiene should address both a person's teeth and their gums. Why is it so important to maintain healthy gums when you have dentures, and how do you do it?

Sitting on Your Gums

Some partial dentures are secured to an existing natural tooth via a clasp. However, a full set of dentures rests on your upper and/or lower palate, as well as your gums. Much of the functionality of full dentures depends on the connection between the denture base plate and the soft tissues on which they sit. If your gums are infected and inflamed, your dentures lose some of their effectiveness (and a great deal of their comfort). Remember that it's still possible to develop gum disease even when you don't have any remaining natural teeth. Additionally, oral bacteria (and plaque) can develop on dentures, which can affect any remaining natural teeth—which can ultimately lead to gum disease. 

Overnight Removal

You're probably already doing some of the most important things to keep your gums healthy when you wear dentures. Some friction is inevitable as the acrylic of the denture base plate rubs against your gingival tissues. This is why it's a very bad habit to fall asleep with your dentures still in your mouth. Removing them for an overnight soaking gives the soft tissues inside your mouth some breathing space. Overnight removal prevents your gums from becoming irritated, by allowing them some essential recuperation time.

Relining the Denture Base

When receiving dentures, you will have been told about the need for relining. This is essential for the long-term health of your gums. The physical profile of your gums changes over the years. This is part of the ageing process, and also due to the fact that your gums (and underlying jaw) no longer have to support natural teeth and their root systems. Denture relining is when a thin layer of resin is added to the base plate. This relining means that the contours of the dentures match the contours of your mouth, which is essential for a healthy fit that doesn't aggravate the underlying gum tissue. The schedule for relining varies considerably. Some patients might require the service annually, whereas other patients might only require denture relining every few years.

Healthy gums are critical for the long-term functionality (and comfort) of dentures. If you should experience any signs of gum irritation or inflammation, it's very important to have the issue investigated by your dentist.