Care of Dental Dentures According to the Recommendations of the American Society of Dental Prosthetists

General Principles of Denture Care

Just like teeth, dental dentures accumulate plaque and tartar. If the denture is not cleaned thoroughly, the accumulated biofilm can cause various health issues for its wearer, the most common being yeast infection or prosthesis-induced stomatitis. The American Society of Dental Prosthetists therefore recommends daily cleaning and soaking the denture in non-abrasive cleaning agents to reduce the amount of biofilm and potentially harmful bacteria or yeasts on its surface. Soaking in water and cleaning solutions also maintains the shape of the denture and prevents it from drying out. On the contrary, placing it in boiling water can irreversibly damage the denture.

Using Cleaning Agents

The first step in daily denture care is rinsing off any food debris and prosthetic adhesives. The next step is the use of a special cleaning agent, which can come in the form of a solution, tablets, paste, cream, or gel. Cleaning tablets dissolve in lukewarm water, where the denture is then placed. It is always necessary to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the frequency of soaking. Cleaning agents, such as creams, pastes, and gels, are applied to the denture with a soft brush to clean its surface. All these agents must be used outside of the oral cavity, and the denture should be rinsed thoroughly after their use.

Besides commercial cleaning agents, toothpaste or soap, lukewarm water, and a soft brush can also be used. However, wearers of dental dentures should avoid more aggressive household cleaning products containing bleach − these products can destroy the dentures. 

The Importance of Adhesives

Various types of adhesives are often used with dentures to help keep the denture in place. These usually come in the form of creams, powders, or adhesive strips. Adhesives must be applied to a clean denture (wet or dry according to the manufacturer's instructions), which is then placed in the mouth and held in place for a few seconds. This helps the denture adhere to the surface and prevents it from moving. Only a small amount of adhesive should be used; otherwise, sufficient retention and stability are not guaranteed.

In most cases, a small amount of saliva between the gum and the denture is enough for good retention, keeping the denture in place. However, some patients have less saliva, and in these cases, the use of adhesives is indicated. In the case of a poorly fitting denture, adhesives can only help temporarily, and it is rather necessary to reline or replace the denture. A poorly fitting denture can result in pain, inflammation, bone loss, and digestive problems.

Denture Replacement

In 2015, the American Society of Dental Prosthetists issued a statement regarding the frequency of denture replacement and created a list of signs that should remind the dentist that it is time to replace the denture. The dentist should consider replacing the denture if at least one of these points is present:

• Chronic irritation (inflammation) persisting under the prosthetic base (including epulis fissuratum, oral ulcers, or yeast infections not responding to treatment).
• If it is necessary to use a prosthetic adhesive during meals, speech, or more than once a day.
• If the patient cannot or does not want to wear the denture.
• If the denture is so worn that it does not stay in the mouth, does not fit the remaining teeth, has changed color, and the teeth are cracked or completely missing.
• If there are changes to the teeth supporting a partial denture.
• If the denture is older than 5 years.

If the patient is satisfied with the denture and the above signs are not present, it is of course not necessary to replace the denture. However, patients should visit their dentist annually to have both the denture and the entire oral cavity checked.

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Source: Denture Care and Maintenance. American Dental Association, 2019 Apr 8. Available at: www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/dentures