Caring for remaining teeth and gums.

For Complete Dentures

Wearing dentures doesn't mean an end to the toothbrush. If you wear complete dentures, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush every morning before you insert your dentures. This will help stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque. You should also rinse with a mouthwash for its breath-freshening and germ-killing effect.

For Partials

If you wear partials, be sure to remove them and clean them daily. Then brush remaining natural teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and clean between your teeth daily to help prevent gum disease and maintain healthy gums. Plus, it can help prevent tooth decay that can lead to further tooth loss. Also, make sure to take special care cleaning the anchor teeth for your partial.

Regular Dental Exams

And don't forget to keep up with your regular visits to the dentist. In addition to checking the condition of your dentures or partials and remaining teeth, a regular dental exam can be an ideal time to address any sores in your mouth, check for changes in the shape of your gums, check for signs of oral cancer, or simply talk to your dentist about your dentures.