Knowing how to help those we love with daily maintenance tasks can be made easier if you know how to go about it. Understanding daily denture hygiene, how to avoid denture damage, when to seek professional help are all high on the ‘need to know’ areas discussed in this article. But there is another essential element of assisting your loved one in this respect. Caring for someone’s dentures can be a very intimate task which needs to be handled with sensitivity and care. Most denture wearers are not fond of being seen without their dentures and having them handled by someone else introduces another level of potential indignity. Learning how to remove and insert dentures with sensitivity to these issues, will help avoid your loved one’s embarrassment and afford them the dignity they deserve.
Table of contents
Why proper denture care matters for elderly loved ones
Denture care is about more than making sure dentures are clean. Denture care assists in maintaining good quality of life in terms of function, general health and self-confidence. Keeping up a regular daily denture care routine ensures your loved one can eat, speak, laugh, smile with ease and confidence and look their best. The mouth is the gateway to our general health. Inadequate denture care reduces the life of the denture and negatively impacts on a wearer’s overall health, increasing the risk of dental caries in remaining natural teeth, periodontal or gum disease or oral candidosis.i
Sometimes, if a loved one needs help with their denture care it’s because they are unable to do so themselves or even articulate when something isn’t quite right. As their carer, a gentle sensitive approach helps maintain the denture wearer’s self-image. A high level of awareness should be cultivated to spot problem signs before they become bigger issues.
Daily denture care: A step-by-step guide for caregivers
Good denture hygiene begins with having a regular daily routine. This may be incorporated into your loved one’s regular personal hygiene practice of showering etc. Thorough cleaning of the denture reduces harmful biofilm, harbouring disease-causing bacteria and fungi.ii
Below is a step-by-step guide which ideally, should be performed twice daily – usually once in the morning and once at night. It may be helpful to keep a dedicated storage container for your loved one’s denture care items.
1. Prepare the area before you begin
Place a small towel or face washer in the bottom of the hand basin over which you will clean the denture. Have a dry folded handtowel on the side of the basin to rest the denture on after it’s removed from the wearer’s mouth. You can use the same towel to rest the denture on after cleaning, before reinserting, or before storing for the night.
You will need a soft bristle denture brush and some non-abrasive denture cleaner or plain soap and water. Do not use regular toothpaste as this will abrade the denture’s delicate surface. Have a denture container ready to store the denture overnight. Or if you have an ultrasonic cleaner have that ready to receive the denture. You will also need a regular toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning any remaining natural teeth.
2. Cleaning the denture
Holding the denture over the basin, rinse under warm or tepid water. Remove any denture adhesive residue using exfoliating gloves. Some adhesives can simply be peeled off under warm water or rubbed with a damp flannel. Then apply denture cleaner or plain soap to the brush. Brush all surfaces gently in a circular motion. Use the small brush head on the back of the denture brush to get into hard-to-reach crevasses. Rinse to remove all traces of denture cleaner or soap. Repeat with the remaining upper or lower denture.
3. Sonic and ultrasonic cleaners
An alternative to physical brushing to clean the denture is an ultra sonic cleaner. These compact devices are plugged in to an electrical source to use sound waves to agitate water in which the denture is immersed, removing all debris and resulting in a superior clean. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
4. Soaking the denture
Recent research suggests that keeping dentures dry overnight may help reduce harmful bacteria. However, denture soaking still plays an important role in denture care, particularly for removing stains and debris. When soaking is needed, use a proper denture cleaning solution as recommended by your prosthetist, as certain denture materials and relines require specific products. For safety reasons, dentures should be removed for sleeping, especially when the wearer is unable to manage by themselves, to avoid any risk of choking during sleep.
How to safely store and protect your loved one's dentures
Lost dentures in care institutions and hospitals can impose unnecessary expense. Denture clinics offer a labelling service for patients to keep track of their dentures in these situations. If you are caring for your loved one at home, safely storing the denture in a purpose-made denture container will help prevent misplacement or damage.
Helping with insertion and removal
It is likely if you are caring for your loved one’s oral hygiene, they may need help removing and inserting their dentures.
Begin by preparing the area as above. Make sure you have good lighting and everything you need close to hand. Wash your hands thoroughly and put on disposable gloves. You may find it easier if your loved one is sitting upright or at least elevated if in bed. While some find it easier to insert the lower denture first, followed by the upper denture, the order can depend on individual preference and what works best for the wearer.
Removing Upper denture
Insert a finger either side of the denture edge and ease down, or gently rock slightly to break the suction. Remove carefully in a downward and outward direction. There is a small denture removal tool available for purchase if inserting your fingers is uncomfortable or ineffective.
Inserting upper denture
Hold the upper denture with both hands, widest part towards the back. Slide denture into the mouth at a slight angle then press firmly and evenly to seal. Never ask the wearer to bite down to seat the denture as this could cause damage or result in improper positioning. Keep your fingers out of the way!
Removing lower denture
Insert a finger under either side of the lower denture, grasp firmly and raise in a gentle rocking motion to avoid a sudden release. Remove upwards and outwards.
Inserting lower denture
Make sure you have the denture properly oriented. Slide denture in and press down firmly until properly seated.
Safety tips
- Dentures should be cleaned before inserting and after removal.
- Never force dentures into position and stop immediately if the person gags or shows discomfort.
- Check to be sure dentures are properly positioned ensuring the mouth can close naturally.
- Ask if the denture is comfortable
- While the denture is out, take the opportunity to check for any sore spots in the wearer’s mouth which may need attending to.
When to seek professional help
There are warning signs to alert you when to seek professional help. Prompt attention will avoid small issues becoming bigger problems. Having a schedule for regular denture checks can maintain the health of your loved one and extend the life of the denture. The red flags to watch for include:
- If the wearer expresses or seems to experience persistent discomfort, especially when inserting or removing.
- If your loved one resists wearing the denture.
- If the denture slips, clicks when eating and talking, or seems ill-fitting.
- Signs of irritation on the gums – sore spots or inflamed gums.
- If the wearer has difficulty swallowing.
- If the wearer is reluctant or has problems eating.
Medications, nutrition and denture care: What caregivers should know
Some medications can affect the oral environment causing dry mouth, a tendency for bleeding gums, dental decay in remaining natural teeth, and even the way food tastes. For this reason, it’s important to inform your loved one’s oral care provider of the medications they are taking. As a care giver you should monitor your loved one for the following signs:
- complains of a dry mouth
- finds eating or swallowing difficult
- there is bleeding when brushing
- has bad breath
- has problems with the way the denture fits
- has sore spots
- eating habits change
If any symptoms persist or escalate, then it’s time to seek the help of your loved one’s dentist or prosthetist depending on the issue.
Hydration, nutrition and eating issues
Maintaining good nutritional status is critical for the general health of elderly or incapacitated denture wearers needing care.iii It’s crucial to seek help if your loved one is losing weight, is reluctant to eat or shows signs of discomfort when chewing. Good hydration is also essential so offer small sips of water frequently and closely monitor fluid intake. Regular dental check-ups and denture maintenance will ensure a well-fitting denture and address any oral issues like sore spots or candida before they become major. A dietitian can provide advice on how to ensure your loved one is getting adequate nutritional needs even when they have a small appetite. The way in which you prepare the food can help. See below for some suggestions:
- Offer food in small portions at frequent intervals
- Cut food into small manageable pieces
- Steam or cook food until soft
- Choose easy to eat foods like eggs, yogurt or stewed fruits, cottage cheese, pasta with meat sauces and soups
- Smoothies made with vegetables or fruit require no chewing
- Eye appeal can stimulate appetite, so good food presentation is key
- Provide variety in texture and colour
- Monitor the food temperature to avoid burning
Aids for denture care
A list of aids to make a carer’s job easier can be found below. Many of them can be found at your local pharmacy, denture clinic or online denture supply store.
- Denture removal tool
- Ultra sonic cleaner
- Denture storage container
- Denture brush
- Denture adhesive
- Denture cleaning tablets
Zima Dental PodSupporting loved ones with their denture care: key takeaways
Assisting loved ones when they are unable to care for themselves can be immensely rewarding but also challenging. In this article we have discussed some of the ways your labour of love as carer, can be made easier. We offer a step-by-step guide on how to safely maintain the hygiene and integrity of a denture and the wearer’s oral health, signs to be aware of when professional help should be sought, and tips on medications and how to ensure nutritional needs are met. Finally, we list some of the aids available to make your job easier - because you deserve it.
References
i Mylonas P, Milward P, McAndrew R. Denture cleanliness and hygiene: an overview. Br Dent J. 2022
Jul;233(1):20-26. doi: 10.1038/s41415-022-4397-1. Epub 2022 Jul 8. PMID: 35804119; PMCID:
PMC9270218.
ii Evidence-based guidelines for the care and maintenance of complete dentures
Felton, David et al.
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Volume 142, 1S - 20S
iii Su, Y.; Yuki, M.; Hirayama, K.; Sato, M.; Han, T. Denture Wearing and Malnutrition Risk Among
Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Nutrients 2020, 12, 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010151
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic is located in the heart of Tweed Heads, southern Gold Coast. Finally have the smile you deserve with handcrafted, quality dentures.
