One of the factors that most affects the duration of dentures is patient care and maintenance. A group of professionals hereby gives us their opinions on how to take care of and clean dentures on a daily basis to prevent problems. 

Esperanza Expósito Ruiz
(Cordoba), Hygienist 

For denture maintenance and bonding, I recommend Fittydent^® adhesives because they are the only ones that last 12 hours, which has been corroborated by many of my patients. And for cleaning, I recommend Fittydent^® cleansing tablets for their mechanism of action, as they release small bubbles that slowly dissolve, thereby thoroughly cleaning and protecting dentures. 

Fittydent^® cleansing tablets also remove stains from tea, tar and nicotine because of its combined peroxide and bicarbonate. 

As for adhesives, depending on the patient, I recommend Fittydent^® Sensitive for delicate gums for its soothing and healing properties or the superadhesive for its strong bonding effect. I recommend the cushions particularly to patients who have a flat and narrow jaw or just a narrow jaw, depending on the case. 

Isabel Martínez Ribera
(Murcia), Hygienist 

In order to properly maintain dentures, I recommend they be brushed thoroughly using a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft nylon brush for dentures (VITIS^® prótesis) to remove all residue. 

Then I recommend dissolving a good cleanser (Fittydent^® cleansing tablets) in a glass of water and soaking the denture as per manufacturer instructions. This cleanser deeply cleans dentures and removes stains and bacteria that cause bad breath and gingival inflammation. 

Then the dentures should be rinsed under cold water and carefully dried. 

Dr Ana Vargas Toscano
(Cordoba), Dentist 

For maintaining prostheses (fixed or removable) my recommendations are aimed at optimal hygiene maintenance, thereby ensuring healthy bacterial microbiota. 

For tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses, I regularly recommend the VITIS^® encías product range, because the aesthetics of fixed prostheses is subject to the state of health of the gingival margin. Also, when pontics exist, daily cleaning with a Waterpik^® irrigator is essential, preferably at night. 

For implant-supported prostheses, use of an irrigator is a must, as well as a chlorhexidine mouthrinse, such as Perio•Aid® Mantenimiento. We must instruct patients on how to use interproximal brushes, floss threaders and any other tools that allow for easier access to spaces susceptible to plaque retention and where a conventional brush does not reach. 

For patients who use skeletal removable prostheses, I recommend the use of toothpaste and mouthrinse, which I normally allow patients to choose depending on their taste preferences, as this will have a great impact on their actual frequency of use. In my opinion, prostheses should be cleaned with a neutral soap and with a brush specifically designed for prostheses. 

For partial removable dentures, I prefer patients use products containing chlorhexidine for oral hygiene, such as Perio•Aid^® Tratamiento or Mantenimiento and denture cleansing tablets. Normally, these are patients who require periodontal control. 

For patients with full dentures, I recommend a good daily mouthwash, such as VITIS^® encías, aloe vera, etc., for maintaining a good balance of patients' bacterial microbiota and preventing the appearance of aphthae and other sores and candidiasis, etc. 

Dentures should be cleaned daily with a specific brush, and use of cleansing tablets such as Fittydent® is recommended. After cleaning dentures, they should be dried and then put away to prevent fungi growth. 

Dr Érika Nájera Trujillo
(Valencia), Dentist 

Patients with removable dentures should remove them after every meal and brush them with a soft filament toothbrush under running water, making sure to stress interdental areas and all retention areas. 

It is also recommendable to soak dentures in warm water with cleansing tablets (Fittydent^®) to remove bacteria and fungi, and to clean dentures without damaging them. It is also advisable to sleep without dentures to allow mucosa and gums to rest, but not to leave them in water all night, just the previously mentioned daily washing. 

Laura Martín Rodríguez
(Salamanca), Hygienist 

For natural tooth-supported fixed prostheses, I recommend using: VITIS^® suave or medio brush, interproximal bushes, VITIS^® dental floss threader and dental floss, VITIS^® toothpaste, VITIS^® encías mouthwash and Perio•Aid^® Mantenimiento. 

For implant-supported fixed prostheses, I recommend using: VITIS^® suave or medio brush, interproximal bushes, Perio•Aid^® Mantenimiento, VITIS^® implant angular brush for lingual of sextant V and palatal of sextant II, VITIS^® implant sulcular brush for cleaning the peri-implant margin, VITIS^® monotip brush for difficult to access posterior areas and VITIS^® encías mouthwash. 

For both overdentures and complete removable prostheses my recommendations are: 

• Remove the prosthesis from your mouth and wash it with water and gentle soap with the help of a VITIS^® prótesis brush. 

• Clean your gums and palate that are covered by the prosthesis with a VITIS^® suave brush. 

• To clean the peri-implant soft tissue margin where an implant bar is present, use a VITIS^® implant sulcular brush, as its linear and narrow head easily removes oral biofilm from this area. 

• Use a VITIS^® implant brush using circular movements for cleaning locator implant attachments. 

• Wash the prosthesis with Fittydent^® cleansing tablets once every day. Drop a Fittydent^® cleansing tablet into a glass of warm water and let the prosthesis soak in this solution for 30 minutes. Then, rinse the prosthesis under running water.