How Should You Store Spare Dentures?
Posted on: 15 June 2016
Keeping a spare set of dentures gives you some peace of mind in case anything happens to your main set of false teeth. At the very least, this means that you won't have to be toothless if you break or lose your current pair and have to wait for a repair or a new set to be made. However, for this to work, you need to make sure that you store your spare dentures correctly. If you get this wrong, your spares may become unwearable. What do you need to know about storing dentures?
Don't Store Dentures Dry
If you simply bung your spare teeth in a bathroom cupboard or plastic bag in a drawer, then you may not be able to wear them if you need to somewhere down the line. Dentures shouldn't be left to dry out. If this happens, your teeth may become brittle and break; alternatively, they may warp out of shape. To keep spare teeth in tip-top condition, you need to find a way of storing them in liquid.
Wet Storage Options for Spare Dentures
There are a couple of ways you can store spare dentures in liquid. The first option, using a denture box, requires regular maintenance. The second, storing them in the freezer, takes less work but may come with higher risks. Before you decide which method to use, think about the pros and cons of each solution:
- Denture Box Storage: You can store spare dentures in a denture box filled with water. This keeps the teeth supple and ready to use immediately if you ever need to wear them. This method does involve some work, however. For example, you need to check the water levels of the box to make sure it doesn't dry out; you'll also need to change the water on a regular basis to prevent mould or bacteria growing in it. As an alternative, you can also store false teeth in an antibacterial mouthwash rather than water. This may help reduce the risk of contamination.
- Freezer Storage: Some people store spare dentures in the freezer by putting the teeth in water in a sealable plastic bag. While this is a zero maintenance solution, you will have to wait until you can wear your spare teeth if you need them. It's best to defrost teeth slowly; trying to speed up the defrosting time by applying heat may change the shape of the teeth or cause them to fracture.
If you aren't sure which is the best way to store your dentures, ask your dentist for advice. It's also important to remember that the shape of your mouth will change over time. If you try to wear old dentures after a number of years, you may find that they don't fit particularly well. Your dentist may be able to give you a quick fix here by relining the denture's plate to make it fit better so you can wear your spare set more comfortably until you get your main teeth are repaired or replaced.
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