Denture Instructions

Start with soft food: mince, mash

Avoid: foods needing incising, sticky foods, fibrous foods

Cut food into small pieces

Wide selection to ensure balanced diet

Insert food at the corners of the mouth

Do not pull or tear food forwards

Chew with up & down strokes

Chew with food on both sides of the mouth

Expect increased flow initially

Xerostomia – refer later lecture

Speak slowly & quietly initially

Practice by reading aloud

Speech usually adapts

Anticipate loss of the denture – place hand in front of the mouth

Remove from mouth & brush intaglio, polished & occlusal surfaces 2 x daily – use a soft (nail) brush & dish soap – no toothpaste

Remove & rinse denture & mouth after meals

DO NOT rely on denture cleansers

Brush ridges, palate, & tongue twice daily with toothbrush & toothpaste

WITHOUT DENTURES

Keep dentures moist – in water

Store CLEAN dentures in water/cleanser in a safe place

Emphasise need for regular visits – e.g. annually

Emphasise need for new dentures every 5 – 8 years

Clean dentures over a water-filled basin or a towel to prevent fracture.

If fracture occurs – do not fix it yourself – bring it in for repair.