How to Take Out Dentures in the Elderly

Taking good care of your mouth when you wear dentures is extremely important, as bad dental hygiene could lead to serious medical conditions. One aspect of looking after both your false teeth and also your mouth is removing dentures every evening and cleaning them thoroughly. It is important not to wear dentures through the night, as the gums require time to rest.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl of water or towel
• Denture cleaning solution or water

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Instructions

Removing Dentures

• 1

  Remove dentures over a sink of water or a towel so that they will not break if they are dropped.

• 2

  Push the higher denture upwards and outwards by applying force to the front teeth with a thumb. If this does not work, Dr. Dan Peterson at Family Gentle Dental Care in Nebraska suggests pulling your cheeks outwards to break the seal or try pulling on only the left or right side of the false teeth to take them out.

• 3

  Pull on lower denture slowly in a rocking motion to remove it from the mouth.

• 4

  Store dentures in water or soak in a cleansing product to help keep them free of germs and stop them from drying out. The American Dental Association recommends using products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which have been evaluated for effectiveness and safety. Never use hot water, as this may cause the false teeth to warp.

Denture care and dental hygiene

• 5

  Clean the dentures every day with a non-abrasive product. Some people use an ultrasonic cleaner to take care of their false teeth but this does not replace brushing.

• 6

  Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after the false teeth have been removed to maintain good dental hygiene.

• 7

  Brush your gums and tongue everyday to keep your mouth clean and encourage the circulation of blood.

• 8

  Use a diluted bleach solution to soak your dentures once a week to help prevent fungal infections in the mouth.