Getting dentures is expensive dental work to have done, so it's important to take good care of them to help lengthen the life of your dentures and to keep them in good shape for years to come. Dentures give you the look and feel of your natural teeth, and work much the same way as your natural teeth, but there are definitely differences and you have to take good care of them to prevent issues or damage. Read on for tips to help you care for your dentures properly.

1. Brush Them With Denture Toothpaste

You cannot brush your dentures with traditional toothpaste, you need to brush them with denture toothpaste instead. Using fluoride toothpaste on your dentures can cause damage to them and break them down, you have to use denture products on your dentures. You can still brush your gums with traditional toothpaste to help clean your gums, but your dentures themselves should be brushed with specific denture toothpaste.

2. Soak Your Dentures Overnight

Don't attempt to sleep in your dentures, you could choke on them, or you could lose them in the middle of the night and any number of things could happen to them. Soak your dentures overnight in a denture soak, but not in mouthwash. You can still use mouthwash to give you clean, fresh breath when you don't have your dentures in your mouth, but the dentures themselves should be in a denture soak.

3. Don't Chew Anything Too Hard Or Sticky

Don't attempt to bite into anything too hard, as it could damage your dentures. Eating hard foods can also cause damage as well. Avoid foods such as hard candy, or biting into food such as corn on the cob or apples, which can damage the front teeth of your dentures. Instead, cut up your apples and cut the corn off of the cob to prevent damage to your dentures. You should also avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum or taffy. 

Dentures need to be properly cared for to prevent them from getting damaged and needing to be replaced or repaired by your dentist. Be sure you take the proper steps to keep them clean and in good shape to enable to you eat and for them to function like your natural teeth. If you have issues with your dentures, be sure to get to the dentist for an exam and for denture repairs.