Once your partial or complete denture is delivered, there are several things to keep in mind:

Chewing

Your new bite may not feel normal for several days. We can adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth during this initial phase until your new partial or complete denture has settled into place.

Sore Spots

Sore spots are very normal after receiving a new complete or partial denture. These are spots where the new denture may feel to tight or too “long",” extending to a place that may feel uncomfortable for you. A combination of adjustment appointments with the dentist and your mouth becoming accustomed to the new prosthesis is a process.

Caring for Your Partial Denture

You will need to clean your denture daily.

• Rinse your denture under warm water after each meal to remove plaque and food debris. Do not use boiling or very hot water—doing so can cause the denture to distort

• Brush your partial daily with a soft toothbrush or denture brush and use denture cleanser. Do not use abrasive pastes as it will scratch your prosthetic.

• Soak your partial in water using denture-cleaning tablets to help remove light stains and loosen plaque buildup.

• After soaking, be sure to rinse your partial or complete denture thoroughly under warm water before reinserting it into your mouth.

• When traveling or if you remove your denture temporarily, always place it in a denture case to keep from losing it. Never place it on a napkin or tissue. We have had patients accidentally throw away their denture.

• Keep your denture away from pets— Dogs will use it as a chew toy and destroy it.

• When not wearing your denture, always keep it in water or a denture solution; otherwise, the acrylic will dry out over time and become brittle.

• Unless otherwise instructed, (such as after an “immediate” denture, ) remove your denture before going to sleep each night to allow your gum tissue to breathe. Not doing so puts you at risk of infection of the soft tissue beneath your denture.

Caring for Your Mouth and Gum Tissue

If you have a partial denture, this means you still have some natural teeth- and these teeth are very important to the stability of your partial! Take good care of them! Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean your natural teeth.

For both partial and complete dentures, after removing the denture use a damp washcloth or very soft toothbrush with warm water to clean your gums. Clean the ridges where your partial sits as well as your tongue, lips, cheeks, and roof of your mouth. Rinsing daily with warm salt water will help keep your gums clean.