• Dentures and false teeth should be cleaned at least daily.
• Mouth care should be provided at the same time.
• Dentures are expensive and easily damaged. Handle them with care.
  • If dentures are not worn for long periods of time (more than a few hours) they should be stored in a container of cool water.

Equipment:

• Denture cup or small bowl
• Small basin, bowl, or sink
• Cool water
• Denture brush or toothbrush
• Denture cleaner or mouthwash
• Denture soaking solution
• Denture adhesive
• Towel and washcloth
• Disposable gloves

Steps:

        Gather equipment, wash hands, put on gloves. Ask for the client’s guidance for this procedure, or proceed as follows:

•       Ask the client to remove dentures and put them in the denture cup or small bowl or remove the client’s dentures for them.
•       Expect dentures to be slippery. Wrap a small piece of fabric, a piece of gauze, or the comer of a paper towel around the dentures.
•       Place your gloved index finger and thumb on either side of the upper denture’s front gum line and pull slightly downward until you feel the suction break.
•       Carefully remove the uppers from the client’s mouth. Place them in the denture cup or small bowl. Repeat the process for the lowers, pulling upward to break the suction.
•       Fill another bowl or the sink with warm water.
•       Hold dentures firmly in one hand and clean them thoroughly with a toothbrush or denture cleaner. NEVER use bleach or abrasive cleaners such as toothpaste on dentures.
•       Rinse dentures thoroughly in cool water. Set them in the denture cup or small bowl. (You might soak them in a special solution. Follow directions on the package.)
•       Rinse dentures thoroughly again before giving them back to the client.
•       Before inserting the dentures, the client’s mouth should be cleaned and rinsed well.
•       Note any redness or sores in the mouth.
•       Apply denture adhesive, if the client uses it. (Follow package instructions.)
•       Hand the clean dentures back to the client OR:
•       Replace the dentures for the client. Position the dentures right side up or down. (Remember; the uppers have a roof. The lowers are horseshoe-shaped).
•       Gently guide them into the mouth, moving the tongue out of the way as necessary. The client can usually help to reposition them by moving his tongue and jaw.
•       Clean up the area and put away equipment
•       Discard gloves and wash hands.