Cleaning of Lower and Upper Dentures

Dentures are metal braces which are used to hold artificial teeth. It is the duty of nurse aides to help patients in keeping them clean to keep the patient free from any kind of oral infection. Not only such infections are painful but they are very difficult to cure. Going for new braces every time is not only expensive but also inconvenient. Therefore, doctors advise cleaning of lower and upper dentures on a regular basis.

Points to Be Considered While Using Dentures

Hands must be properly washed with antiseptic soap and lukewarm water before application of dentures in patient’s mouth.

Ask the patient to give you upper and lower dentures for cleaning if they can remove it by themselves or you will have to take it out on your own.
You must start by removing upper dentures- first by moving it in up and down movements, and then taking it out gently. Same procedure with the lower denture.
Always clean one denture at a time, instead of cleaning both dentures together.
Dentures must not be inserted if the patient is suffering from any kind of infection.
Oral health of the patient must be checked from time to time to prevent any complication.

Directions on How to Help Patient while Cleaning Upper and Lower Dentures

The first and foremost step must be to wash your hands before removing dentures from patient’s mouth.
Allow the patient to remove the dentures by themselves and hand it over to you. If they are unable to do it, then you do it for them. Start by moving the upper denture in up and down movement and then removing them gently. Repeat the same procedure with lower denture, move it in up and down movement and then remove it gently.
Take a towel and line up the wash basin with it.
Fill the wash basin with lukewarm water, but do not put dentures into it.
Carry the braces / dentures near the sink.
Apply small amount of toothpaste or denture cleaner on the outer edges of the dentures, in similar manner as you brush your teeth.
Wash them one by one in the filled water properly.
To prevent contamination after cleaning, put dentures in a denture cup filled with cold water.
After completion of the cleanup of dentures, it is essential to clean the patient’s mouth before re-application of dentures.
Patient must be asked to rinse their mouth with mouthwash and cotton swabs.
Make use of dental adhesive for fixing the dentures.
Dispose of the water of wash basin. Also dispose of your gloves also, after putting them off.
Wash your hands with soap and water.

Featured Nursing Schools Near You

What does the examiner observe when you exhibit this skill?

Whether you washed your hands before starting with your work.
If you positioned the patient in an appropriate manner.
If you rinsed and cleaned the oral cavity properly. Whether you washed oral cavity.
Whether you dried the patient’s mouth properly with blower before application of the dentures?

Expert Tips

It is advised to demonstrate your skills with complete precision and perfection. Here are a few things that must be kept in mind while demonstrating this skill:

Dentures must be cleaned everyday to prevent any kind of infections like gum irritation, bad breath, yeast infection, plaque or tartar, etc., in the mouth.
Ensure that the patient does not sleep with the dentures placed in mouth.
Gums must be massaged daily to give them protection against irritation.
After every meal, dentures must be cleaned with brush in the similar manner as we brush our teeth.
Dentures are fragile and can break easily, so a towel must be placed on the shallow portion of the wash basin to avoid contact with hard surface.
Do not leave dentures on bedside table wrapped in a tissue as anyone may dispose of it and you might be held responsible for its replacement.