Denture Care

Dentures and other dental appliances should be documented in each resident's care plan. However, if a nurse aide is unfamiliar with these appliances, identifying them can be challenging, and time constraints may lead to neglect in proper denture care.

Nursing staff should understand that dentures are essential, costly prosthetics that help residents eat and speak effectively. They should be treated with the same care as natural teeth. Proper denture care includes the following steps:

• Remove Dentures: Ensure dentures are removed each night, either by the resident or with assistance.

• Inspect for Damage: Examine the dentures for cracks, broken clasps, or damaged teeth each time they are handled.

• Clean Thoroughly: Brush dentures with a denture brush every night and after each meal to remove food particles and plaque.

• Clean the Mouth: Brush and rinse the resident’s mouth each night to remove denture adhesive and plaque.

• Soak Dentures: When not in use, soak dentures in warm or cold water and/or a denture cleaner to keep them hygienic.

• Rinse and Inspect: Rinse dentures and the mouth each morning or when dentures are placed back in the mouth.

• Examine Oral Tissue: Check the resident’s mouth for sores or injuries each time dentures are removed.

• Document and Report: Record and report any abnormalities or concerns.

Residents may be in an unfamiliar environment and may experience cognitive delays or dementia, leading them to misplace or confuse their dentures. To prevent mix-ups, always verify the denture’s identifier after removal and before reinserting it to ensure it is the correct appliance for each resident.