Proper Denture Care for Seniors

Proper Denture Care for Seniors

Throughout this series, we’ve discussed oral health for seniors, from oral health related issues and their statistics, to proper care of your teeth.

As we mentioned, taking proper care of your teeth may help you prevent getting dentures as you age. However, in some instances, dentures are an unavoidable fact of some seniors lives.

But just because your aging loved one has dentures, doesn’t mean they should stop worrying about their oral health. In fact, proper care of your aging loved ones dentures is just as important as proper care for their teeth when it comes to maintaining their overall health. So to conclude this series, we are going to talk about just that.

Denture care and cleaning

As with your teeth, dentures require special care in order to maintain the integrity of your dentures. In turn, this helps to ensure your quality of health, as well as help you avoid unnecessary burden of finances associated with frequent dental visits, possible oral related surgeries, and replacing your dentures often. Here are some things we suggest (adapted from the ADHA):

  • Like your teeth, dentures should be brushed daily using a soft toothbrush or denture cleaning brush. For proper care, seek out a cleaning solution that is recommended by your dentist and avoid using toxic or abrasive household cleaners. Brush dentures inside and out and rinse with cool water.
  • When not in use, dentures should also be stored properly in order to avoid damage to them. Store in water or denture cleaning solution to avoid drying out.
  • Those with partial dentures who still have remaining natural teeth and gums should still continue to brush their teeth and gums in order to prevent any future tooth decay that may occur.

Denture related health issues

Improper care/use of dentures can lead to a number of oral health related issues that can wreak havoc on your health. Here are just a few to be aware of:

  • Denture-induced stomatitis can be the result of a number of issues, such as ill-fitting dentures, poor dental hygiene, or a build up of the fungus Candida Albicans. As a result, inflammation of the tissue underlying the denture may cause chronic pain and discomfort.
  • Thrush is the result of diseases (e.g. diabetes or cancer), dry mouth, or medications that upset the balance of microorganisms in the mouth as well as affect your immune system, leading to a build up of Candida Albicans. Symptoms may include fever, inflammation of the gums/mouth, and chronic pain/discomfort.

As we age, every step we take towards improving our health can make a significant impact on our lives. While only one facet of your health, proper care of your oral health can do wonders for your health, ensuring that you maintain your happiness and well-being as you age.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about the information we’ve outlined in this series or any of our other series on senior health, please do not hesitate to call. We always look forward to speaking with you or your aging loved one!

Physicians’ Choice “currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Call us at 402-331-2273. 

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“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”