Caring for your new Dentures

By Steve Sailer DD · Updated Mar 6, 2025 · 1 min read

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Quick answer

Daily cleaning with a soft brush and a denture-specific cleaner removes plaque and food debris before the surface can stain. Professional polishing every six months at your denturist restores smoothness to the acrylic, making future staining easier to control. Relines every two to three years and replacement every five to six years - depending on wear and gum changes - round out a maintenance routine that protects both the denture and your oral health.

Your new dentures are made with high quality acrylic and need to be maintained regularly. In time, your dentures will lose the smooth and shiny finish due to scrubbing them with a denture brush or by the very nature of the food we eat. Once this smooth surface is gone, stains and plaque and will be harder to remove. You should return to your denturist to have your dentures polished approximately every six months.

The important steps to maintaining your dentures:

1. Daily cleaning with a soft brush
2. Use a denture cleaner like Nudent
3. Have your dentures checked annually
4. Reline your dentures every 2-3 years
5. Replace your dentures every 5-6 year depending on the amount of wear on the teeth and the shrinkage of your gums.

Steve Sailer, DD - Registered Denturist at North Hill Denture Clinic

Steve Sailer, DD

NAIT Denturist Program graduate, registered with the College of Alberta Denturists since 1993, 32+ years of clinical practice.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions

  • Can I use regular toothpaste to clean my dentures?

    Regular toothpaste contains abrasives designed for natural enamel and can scratch acrylic denture surfaces. Once scratched, the material harbors more stain and bacteria. Use a cleaner formulated specifically for dentures, such as Nudent, and a soft-bristled denture brush.

  • Why is professional polishing important?

    Over time, even careful home cleaning leaves microscopic surface irregularities where stains and plaque accumulate. Professional polishing restores the smooth, stain-resistant finish that your denture had when new, and it gives your denturist an opportunity to check the fit and condition of the appliance.

  • Should I remove my dentures at night?

    Most denturists recommend removing dentures while sleeping to give the gum tissue a rest from the pressure of the appliance and to allow any overnight soaking to clean hard-to-reach areas. Store them in water or a denture solution - do not let them dry out, as acrylic can warp.

  • How do I know when my dentures need a reline?

    Signs include increased movement or rocking during chewing, sore spots that persist after adjustment, or needing more adhesive than before to keep the denture stable. A reline is typically recommended every two to three years even if obvious symptoms have not developed, as gum shrinkage is gradual.

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