So you just got dentures, restoring your smile to the beauty that it once was. Dentures are a great way to not only bring back your smile, but your confidence as well. However, just like teeth, dentures also require constant care and maintenance. If you think dentures are a way to cut down on dental hygiene and trips to the dentist, you would be wrong.

So what do you do to maintain your dentures? Follow these simple suggestions:

1. Clean them. Dentures, like your real teeth, need to be cleaned daily. However, unlike your real teeth, they are too delicate to be cleaned with toothbrush and toothpaste. These things can be too abrasive, and can scratch the dentures. These scratches can build up zones for plaque. The best thing to do is clean them with special denture cleaner and denture brush. If you don’t have those things, you could use hand soap or dish soap and a very soft-bristled toothbrush.
2. Give them (and your mouth) some down time. To ensure your mouth has a chance to recover from the dentures, be sure to take them out for about eight hours a day; during the night is a good time.
3. Soak them. While they are out of your mouth overnight, soak them in water. This is a good idea so they don’t dry out or warp.
4. Continue seeing your dentist. Just because your teeth are gone doesn’t mean you say farewell to your dentist. You should continue your visits every six months so that your dentist can examine your dentures and inspect your gums and mouth for signs of diseases.

Dentures are a great way to look younger and feel better.  If you follow these guidelines, you can make the most out of your wise investment.