South Australian Dental Service
Caring for your
dentures and
partial dentures
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For more information
SA Dental Service contact details are listed in
or
the White Pages Business and Government
listing under SA Health. Contact your local
clinic for appointments and treatment
information.
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For general enquiries, contact:
SA Dental Service
GPO Box 864
No
Adelaide SA 5001
Telephone: 1300 008 222
www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/sadental
Interpreters: If you need an interpreter, call the clinic
before your appointment, so that staff can arrange for
one to be present when you attend.
If you are a smoker, think If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech
impairment, contact us through the National Relay
about quitting. Service. For more information call 1800 555 660 or
visit www.relayservice.gov.au
Call the Quitline on 13 7848. © Department for Health and Ageing, Government of South
Australia. All rights reserved. August 2017 Stock #7138.
Caring for your dentures and partial dentures
New dentures Daily Sore spots
> Remove dentures before cleaning.
> Allow yourself time to adjust to your > You may experience pressure or sore spots.
new dentures. > Place a face washer in the bottom of the basin
or clean your dentures over a plastic container > Contact the dental clinic if you are experiencing
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> If you are wearing dentures for the so they don’t break if you drop them. problems. Your dentures may need adjusting.
first time they will feel different to your > Do not attempt to adjust the denture yourself.
natural teeth. > Brush your dentures with a soft brush morning
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and night. > Rinse your mouth with warm salty water.
> New dentures will feel different to your
> Use soap and cold water or denture toothpaste > Leave your denture out as much as possible.
old dentures.
then rinse well. > Ask the dentist or pharmacy about gel for pain
> It may take several weeks before your
dentures feel comfortable. > If you have a partial denture take care not (for example Bonjela or Oragum).
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to bend the clasps. > Wear your dentures for 24 hours prior to the
> It is common to have some discomfort
or experience difficulties. Everyone is > Rest your gums at night by leaving your dental appointment so sore spots are more easily
different so adjustment times vary. dentures out. identified by the dentist.
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> Clean your dentures and leave them in > Contact the dental clinic if ulcers do not heal
> You may find you produce more saliva
than usual but this will settle with time. cold water over night. after 10 -14 days.
> Brush your gums and tongue.
Eating tips > Brush any remaining natural teeth with a soft Dry mouth
toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste morning
> Drink or sip water often.
or
> While you adjust to your new dentures. and night.
begin with eating soft foods. > Ask the clinic or pharmacy about products
Weekly for dry mouth.
> Chew using both sides of your mouth
as equal pressure helps keep the > Brushing your de ntures with a soft brush
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denture in position. and soap will keep them clean. Better fitting dentures.
> Cut food into smaller portions, – let the > Soaking can be useful to remove stains.
knife and fork do the work for you. > Soak your dentures once a week in water and > Ask the clinic or pharmacy about a range
of adhesive products that may help stabilise
No
> Rinse your denture and mouth with white vinegar (half and half) for three to four
hours, or in water with a denture tablet. the denture.
water after eating.
> Brush and rinse your dentures before and > Clean adhesive off daily.
after soaking. > Contact the dental clinic if you have concerns.
Cleaning your dentures
> Do not soak partial dentures in water and vinegar
Maintain good oral health by keeping – it may corrode the metal.
your dentures, any remaining natural
teeth and mouth clean. Like natural
teeth, dentures attract plaque, can stain
and collect food particles that cause bad
breath and irritate gums.
