Oral Health Information

• Brush twice daily to reduce gum disease and decay
• Use a soft toothbrush
• Use fluoridated toothpaste to prevent decay

• Use floss daily to clean between teeth
• Remove and clean dentures every day
• Drink fluoridated water to protect teeth against decay

• Eat a balanced diet, low in sugar and starches
• Don’t use tobacco
• Get regular checkups, even if you have dentures!

Tooth decay
Adults and seniors, are at risk for two types of decay:

• new decay: this can start around the edges of fillings
• root decay: this can progress quickly because exposed roots are not protected by enamel

Gum disease
An infection caused by bacteria in the mouth:

• factors that increase gum disease include poor oral hygiene, stress, smoking, medications, and poor diet
• watch for red swollen gums, bleeding when you brush, loose teeth, bad breath, or gum recession

Dry mouth

• some causes include medications, radiation therapy, diabetes, dehydration
• dry mouth can cause cavities and other infections, and can make it hard to eat, swallow, taste and speak
• to prevent dry mouth drink lots of water, sugarless drinks, or suck on sugarless lozenges
• avoid sugary drinks and candies, alcohol, caffeine and tobacco
• talk to a dental professional about products that can help

Oral cancer
Look for early signs of oral cancer:

• see a dentist immediately if you notice any of the following signs on your lips or in your mouth: red or white patches, sores that don’t heal, swelling or unusual hard spots
• your dental professional does regular screening for oral cancer at every check up
• check your own mouth between visits

Existing health conditions
Diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can increase the risk of developing gum disease

• gum disease can complicate these medical conditions

Visit your dentist
Get a check-up every year, even if you wear dentures:

• let your dentist know about any new or existing health conditions
• inform your dentist about any changes or trouble signs in your mouth
• bring a complete list of medications, including over the counter medicine
• tell your dentist if you need help brushing or flossing

Denture care do’s

• Use a denture brush or soft toothbrush to brush dentures inside and out
• Clean around clasps and metal parts of partial dentures
• Use denture cleaner or mild soap and water
• Hold dentures carefully over a half-filled sink of water lined with a facecloth to protect the dentures in case they are dropped
• Always take dentures out at night to give your gums a chance to rest
• Store dentures overnight in a container of warm water or denture cleaning solution
• Clean gums, tongue, and roof of mouth while your dentures are out
• Rinse dentures well before putting them back in your mouth

Denture care don’ts

• Don’t use hot water to clean or soak dentures, this can change the shape of your denture
• Don’t use a hard or stiff bristled brush to clean dentures, it may scratch the surface of your denture
• Don’t use cleaners that can scratch your dentures
• Don’t use bleach to clean or soak your dentures, this could affect the color and strength of your denture

Always remember to

• Check dentures regularly for cracks or broken teeth.
• Regularly check for proper fit. Loose fitting dentures can cause discomfort and make chewing difficult.
• Get dentures adjusted, repaired, or eventually replaced.
• Label dentures and storage containers with your name.
• Have regular check-ups with your dental professional and denturist.
• Use a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush natural teeth.
• Use floss to clean between natural teeth.