Keeping your mouth clean is just as important when you wear dentures. Read more about how to keep your teeth clean.
It's important to regularly remove plaque and food deposits from your dentures.
This is because unclean dentures can also lead to problems, such as bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and oral thrush. Clean your dentures as often as you would normal teeth (at least twice a day: every morning and night).
Brush your dentures with toothpaste or soap and water before soaking them to remove food particles soak them in a fizzy solution of denture-cleaning tablets to remove stains and bacteria (follow the manufacturer's instructions) brush them again as you would your normal teeth (but don't scrub them too hard) Dentures may break if you drop them, so you should clean them over a bowl or sink filled with water, or something soft like a folded towel. The Oral Health Foundation website has more information on cleaning dentures.
When you first start wearing dentures, you should eat soft foods cut into small pieces and chew slowly, using both sides of your mouth. Avoid chewing gum and any food that's sticky, hard or has sharp edges. You can gradually start to eat other types of food until you're back to your old diet. Never use toothpicks.
If your dentures fit properly, you shouldn't necessarily need to use denture fixative (adhesive). But if your jawbone has shrunk significantly, adhesive may be the only way to help retain your dentures. Your dentist or clinical dental technician will advise you if this is the case.
At first, some people feel more confident with their dentures if they use adhesive. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and avoid using excessive amounts. Adhesive can be removed from the denture by brushing with soap and water. Remnants of adhesive left in the mouth may need to be removed with some damp kitchen roll or a clean damp flannel.