Care of dentures

An important aspect of oral hygiene is the care of prostheses, which include dentures, plates and braces. These are the client’s personal property and need to be handled carefully to avoid damage and breakage. The procedures and rationales for denture care are given below.

Procedure	Rationale
Having washed hands and donned gloves, ask the client to remove prostheses and assist if necessary	Infection control
NB Some clients may be embarrassed about removing these in the presence of others; if this is the case ensure privacy	To promote dignity and maintain selfimage
Always clean dentures in or over a plastic or disposable receptacle	Once wet they become very slippery and can easily be damaged if cleaned in or over a sink
Can be cleaned with a non-scented soap and water using a soft toothbrush, then rinsed well with fresh water	Non-irritant
When not in use, dentures/plates should be stored in cold water in a suitable labelled container. Do not allow dentures to dry out. A denture-soaking solution may be used but prostheses should not be left soaking in this for longer than the manufacturer’s recommendation. Thorough rinsing is required before replacing in the mouth	To prevent shrinkage/warping and bacterial build-up. Gives gums a rest. Over-use of such solutions can cause discoloration and deterioration. Facilitates easier insertion
Clean gums, tongue and oral mucosa using a soft toothbrush and water as discussed above	To prevent re-introduction of infection and to stimulate blood flow to the gums
Always encourage clients to remove dentures/plate at night	To facilitate rest of the tissues and allow oxygenation of the hard/soft palates

Note that mouth care on unconscious clients should be undertaken with great caution and preferably in the presence of a registered practitioner. Suction equipment should always be at hand as there can be a significant risk of aspiration or choking in this client group.