Denture Care in Green Bay, WI
Your Trusted Local Dentists Helping You Maintain Custom Dentures
Congratulations on getting new dentures! At our dental practice in Green Bay, serving surrounding communities such as Abrams, Denmark, Casco, Seymour, and beyond, we help denture wearers enjoy a confident smile and optimum oral health. Whether you’re wearing complete dentures or partial dentures, caring for your dental appliance properly is essential to comfort, fit, and long-term success.
If you have any questions or concerns about your denture care, contact our Green Bay, WI dentists at Allouez Family Dental today by calling (920) 339-8980.
Why Proper Denture Care Matters
When you have missing teeth and you’re using a removable denture (or even an implant-retained denture), proper care isn’t just optional—it’s a key part of your overall oral health. Left unchecked, dentures accumulate loose food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can lead to gum irritation, mouth sores, ill-fitting dentures, and even damage to your remaining natural teeth and oral tissues.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), placing dentures in water or a denture-soaking solution when not worn helps them retain their shape and prevents warping. Also, guidelines emphasize daily mechanical cleaning plus soaking to reduce bacterial load and caution that adhesives are not a substitute for ill-fitting dentures.
If you’re a denture wearer in Green Bay or nearby and you want your appliance to last, stay comfortable, and function well for eating, speaking, and smiling—keep reading!
How to Maintain and Clean Your Dentures
Below is an evidence-based, yet practical, daily and weekly routine to keep your dentures clean, your gums healthy, and your smile confident.
1. Clean Dentures Daily
After meals, remove and rinse dentures under lukewarm water to remove food debris.
Use a soft-bristled or denture brush (not a stiff toothbrush) and a gentle denture cleanser (not abrasive pastes, whitening toothpaste, or bleach) to clean all surfaces. Be sure to clean the denture base and any adhesive-trapping grooves to prevent bacteria buildup.
Brush or wipe your gums, tongue, cheeks, and roof of mouth with a soft toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste (for remaining teeth), or gauze for good oral tissue hygiene, which helps prevent mouth sores and irritation.
2. Soak Overnight (or When Not Wearing)
To keep dentures in good shape and moist and to help reduce bacteria and odor, soak them nightly in a denture-soaking solution or plain water—unless your dentist advises otherwise. Never use hot or boiling water, as this can cause the denture material to warp, leading to fit issues and discomfort.
While your dentist may allow it in special circumstances, many guidelines recommend removing dentures at night. This gives your gums and oral tissues a chance to rest. If you do sleep in them, follow your dentist’s specific instructions.
3. Handle With Care
Dentures are delicate, precision dental appliances and must be handled with care. To prevent accidental damage, always clean your dentures over a sink filled with water or over a folded towel.
Avoid scratching or bending the denture base or clasps (if applicable to partial dentures), as this can weaken the material and cause further issues. When not wearing your dentures, store them in a clean, lidded container. This protects them from dust, pets, and accidental knocks, whether you are sleeping or traveling.
4. Use Denture Adhesive Correctly (if Needed)
Denture adhesives can be helpful for improving the stability and retention of your dentures. However, they are not a substitute for properly fitting dentures. If your dentures feel loose, slip, or are causing irritation or sores on your gums, please schedule a professional evaluation instead of relying solely on adhesive.
Application and Hygiene Tips
- Apply only a pea-sized amount of adhesive (or follow the manufacturer’s directions). Using too much can cause the adhesive to ooze, leading to hygiene issues in your mouth and on your gums.
- Be aware that some adhesives contain zinc; excessive use may result in elevated zinc levels in your body.
- Daily cleaning must include removing all adhesive residue from both your denture and your gums to maintain proper hygiene and ensure the best fit.
5. Maintain Good Oral Health and Care for Remaining Natural Teeth
Maintaining good overall oral health is key to ensuring your dentures remain comfortable and fit correctly, keeping your smile confident.
Daily Care for Your Mouth and Dentures:
- Brush natural teeth: If you have any remaining natural teeth, brush them twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean oral tissues: Gently brush your gums, tongue, and palate every day. This practice maintains healthy oral tissues and helps reduce the risk of mouth sores, gum inflammation, or denture-related stomatitis.
6. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Even if you have dentures, scheduling regular check-ups with your dentist is crucial. During these appointments, your dentist can:
- Examine the fit of your dentures.
- Check for any wear or damage.
- Assess your gums and other oral tissues.
- Recommend adjustments or replacement when necessary.
Because your jaw shape and oral tissues naturally change over time, even dentures that fit well initially may eventually become loose or cause sore spots. Therefore, periodic assessment is important.
Plan to have your denture professionally cleaned and your oral tissues evaluated at least once a year. If you have certain risk factors (such as a history of gum disease, heavy smoking, or dry mouth), you may need more frequent evaluations.
When to Consider Replacing Your Dentures
Knowing when your denture is past its prime is key to avoiding discomfort, gum irritation, weakened chewing, and potential oral health issues. The evidence-based guidelines from the ADA and prosthodontic organizations list some “red flags” for replacement.
Here are common indicators that it may be time for new dentures or a denture reline:
- Visible Wear: Look for cracks, chips, discoloration, or worn-down denture teeth, as well as damage to the denture base.
- Loose Fit: If your dentures no longer fit snugly, shift while chewing or speaking, or require significant amounts of denture adhesive to stay in place, they need attention.
- Persistent Discomfort or Gum Irritation: This includes chronic sores under the denture base, ongoing tissue inflammation, or dentures that cause pain or instability.
- Difficulty Chewing or Speaking: If you struggle to eat or speak clearly, even after adjustments, the dentures are likely no longer effective.
- Time Since Fabrication: Many removable dentures exhibit material wear, changes in oral tissues, and decreased fit after five years, making a replacement necessary.
If you’re in the Green Bay, WI, area and experiencing any of these issues, don’t wait—call us at (920) 339-8980 to schedule an evaluation, and we’ll help determine whether relining, adjusting, or replacing is your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Whitening toothpaste is often abrasive and contains peroxide or strong agents not designed for denture materials. Such products can scratch the denture base or denture teeth, creating tiny pits where bacteria accumulate. Use a denture-specific cleanser instead.
Yes—dentures can break. The materials (acrylic resin or polymer set) are hard but brittle under shock. If you crack or chip your dentures, avoid attempting a DIY repair (“super glue” or household fixes). Coming to the dentist near Green Bay for professional repair or replacement is safest.
To maintain denture cleanliness and appearance, avoid excessive dark-colored liquids (coffee, tea, red wine, and some fruit juices) and avoid smoking or vaping, which cause discoloration. Clean your dentures daily, soak them overnight, and use a denture cleanser tablet weekly. Also, rinse after consuming staining foods.
Yes. Remove any denture adhesive residue from both your dentures and your gums each time you clean. This helps avoid trapped food or bacteria and ensures your dentures maintain a proper fit.
While the exact interval depends on your individual situation (presence of natural teeth, oral health status, medical conditions), a good rule of thumb is at least once a year for evaluation of fit and wear. If you experience problems (looseness, soreness, damage, changes in jaw/oral tissues), schedule a visit sooner.
Choose Us for Denture Care in Green Bay, WI
At our Green Bay dental practice, we assist denture wearers in Green Bay, Abrams, Denmark, Casco, Seymour, and nearby areas. Our focus is on ensuring comfortable, well-fitting dentures and promoting oral health. We offer guidance on cleaning techniques, the use of denture adhesives, and suitable soaking solutions. Our goal is to prevent gum irritation, mouth sores, and issues with ill-fitting dentures.
Combining evidence-based care with personalized support, we cater to both first-time and experienced denture wearers. Schedule an appointment today to check your dentures, evaluate their fit, and keep your smile strong and comfortable. Call us at (920) 339-8980.