FULL & PARTIAL DENTURES - Flowood, MS

Denture Care in Flowood, MS

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Maintaining Custom Dentures That Fit, Feel, and Function Like Natural Teeth

Dentures are more than a tooth replacement. They’re a restoration of confidence, comfort, and daily function. At Tharp, Klaus, & Kelly Dental Clinic in Flowood, Mississippi, our team of board-trained prosthodontists crafts and maintains custom dentures using an in-house digital dental lab and over 30 years of specialized expertise.

Proper denture care prevents discomfort, gum irritation, and premature wear. Follow the personalized maintenance plan from Dr. Greggory Tharp, a nationally recognized prosthodontist, and keep your investment in peak condition. Whether you’re getting your first set of dentures, need a reline or repair, or are considering implant-supported options, we ensure your smile remains secure, natural-looking, and healthy for decades.

Call our Flowood dental clinic at 601-939-4100 for questions and concerns regarding your dentures. Serving our surrounding communities of Jackson, Pearl, Brandon, and beyond.

Specialized Denture Care at Tharp, Klaus, & Kelly

Our practice offers advantages for denture care that typical dental offices can’t match. Dr. Tharp’s Prosthodontics specialty certification means he has advanced training in denture maintenance, repair, and adjustment. When problems arise, you’re seeing a specialist who understands the nuances of denture fit and function.

Our in-house laboratory proves particularly valuable for denture care. When you need repairs, adjustments, or relining, we can often complete the work in-house rather than sending your dentures to an outside lab. This means faster turnaround times—sometimes same-day service for minor repairs—and more precise results because Dr. Tharp can communicate directly with our technicians. You spend less time without your dentures and get better outcomes.

Karen Tharp, member of tharp, klaus, & kelly dental team

How to Maintain and Clean Your Dentures

Proper denture maintenance is essential for longevity, function, and oral health. Drs. Tharp, Klaus, and Kelly recommend following these care practices to keep your dentures in optimal condition.

Dentures should be cleaned thoroughly every day to remove food particles and prevent bacterial buildup that can cause bad breath and oral infections. Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle soap or denture cleanser to clean all surfaces of your denture. Avoid using regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive and can scratch the acrylic surface, creating places where bacteria accumulate. Always rinse dentures thoroughly before placing them back in your mouth to remove any cleaning solution residue.

Dentures are durable but can be damaged if dropped or handled roughly. When cleaning your dentures, work over a folded towel or basin filled with water to cushion them if they slip from your hands. Hold them gently but securely, avoiding excessive pressure that could bend metal clasps or crack the acrylic base. This careful handling prevents costly repairs or premature replacement.

Soaking dentures in water or denture-soaking solution overnight helps remove bacteria, keeps them clean, and prevents them from drying out and warping. Most dentures need to remain moist to maintain their shape. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for soaking solutions, and never use hot water, which can cause your dentures to warp and lose their precise fit. This nightly soaking also gives your gums and oral tissues essential rest time.

When not wearing your dentures, store them in a clean, dry container with a lid. Place the container in a safe location where it won’t be accidentally knocked over or accessed by pets or children. Proper storage protects your dentures from damage, contamination, and accidental loss. Keep your storage container clean by washing it regularly with soap and water.

If your denture becomes damaged or stops fitting properly, visit our Flowood office immediately for professional repair. Never attempt to fix broken dentures yourself using household glues or adhesives—this can cause further damage, create rough edges that irritate your mouth, and potentially render the denture unusable. Our in-house lab can often make repairs quickly, getting you back to normal function faster than practices that outsource lab work.

Having dentures doesn’t mean you can neglect oral hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue, palate, and any remaining natural teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This removes plaque, stimulates circulation, and helps prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. For complete denture wearers, cleaning your mouth before inserting dentures helps them adhere better and stay cleaner throughout the day.

Schedule regular dental checkups at our Flowood office at least twice yearly, even if you have complete dentures. During these visits, we examine your dentures for signs of wear or damage, check your gums and remaining natural teeth, and assess whether your dentures still fit properly. As your mouth changes over time, we may recommend adjustments, relining, or replacement to maintain optimal fit and function.

When to Replace Your Dentures

Knowing when it’s time to replace your dentures is crucial for maintaining oral health, comfort, and function. Watch for these common signs that indicate replacement is needed:
  • Visible Wear and Damage: Cracks, chips, worn-down teeth, or discoloration
  • Loose or Poor Fit: Dentures no longer fit snugly despite using adhesive, or if they slip, click, or feel uncomfortable
  • Persistent Discomfort: Ongoing soreness, irritation, or sore spots that don't resolve with adjustmentsdespite using adhesive, or if they slip, click, or feel uncomfortable
  • Difficulty Chewing or Speaking: Struggling to eat certain foods or experiencing speech problems even after adjustments
  • Age of Dentures: Dentures should be replaced every five to 10 years
  • Broken Clasps or Framework: Damaged partial dentures often can't be repaired effectively and require full replacement.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, contact our Flowood office at 601-939-4100 to schedule an evaluation. We’ll examine your dentures and recommend whether repair, relining, or replacement is the best course of action.

Daily Denture Care Routine

Establishing a consistent daily routine makes denture care simple and ensures optimal results. Follow this schedule for the best outcomes:

Products to Avoid Using on Dentures

toothbrush and denture

Certain products can damage your dentures or reduce their lifespan. Avoid using:

  • Regular toothpaste: Too abrasive and creates scratches that harbor bacteria
  • Hot water: Can warp dentures and ruin their precise fit
  • Bleach products: May weaken denture materials and alter colors
  • Harsh cleansers: Can damage the acrylic surface or metal components
  • Stiff brushes: Create scratches and wear down denture surfaces faster
  • Household glues: Never appropriate for denture repairs, and can be toxic

Stick to products specifically designed for denture care to protect your investment and maintain safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, regular toothpaste is too abrasive for dentures and will damage them over time. Toothpaste contains harsh abrasives designed to clean natural tooth enamel, which is much harder than the acrylic resin used in dentures. Using toothpaste creates scratches and micro-abrasions on the denture surface where bacteria can accumulate, leading to staining, odors, and potential infections. Instead, use cleaners specifically formulated for dentures, which are gentler and more effective at removing stains, bacteria, and food particles without causing damage.

Yes, dentures can break if dropped, mishandled, or subjected to excessive force. They’re made of acrylic resin, which is hard but brittle and can fracture or crack under pressure. Metal frameworks in partial dentures can also bend or break.

If your dentures break, contact our Flowood office immediately. Never attempt to repair them yourself using household glues or adhesives, as this can cause further damage, create toxic conditions in your mouth, and make professional repair more difficult or impossible. Our in-house lab can often repair broken dentures quickly, getting you back to normal function faster than practices that outsource lab work.

Prevent denture staining by avoiding or limiting dark-colored beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and fruit juices. Rinse your dentures after consuming staining substances, and don’t let pigmented foods sit on the denture surface for extended periods.

Avoid smoking, which causes significant discoloration and stains that are difficult to remove. Clean your dentures daily with proper denture cleaners, and soak them overnight in denture solution. Schedule regular professional cleanings at our Flowood dental office, where we can remove stubborn stains and buildup that home care can’t eliminate.

Schedule professional denture cleaning at our Flowood office at least once or twice yearly, ideally during your regular dental checkups. Professional cleaning removes calculus buildup, stubborn stains, and bacteria that daily home care can’t fully eliminate. These appointments also allow us to examine your dentures for wear, damage, or fit problems that need addressing before they become serious issues.

Schedule an appointment at our Flowood office for evaluation and adjustment. Loose dentures result from changes in your mouth structure over time as gums and bone reshape. We can often reline your dentures to restore proper fit, or we may recommend replacement if they’ve worn significantly. Don’t simply use more adhesive to compensate for a poor fit. This doesn’t address the underlying problem and can lead to sore spots, difficulty eating, and further oral health issues.

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Visit Tharp, Klaus, & Kelly for Professional Denture Care Near You

Proper denture care protects your investment and ensures years of comfortable, confident wear. At Tharp, Klaus, & Kelly Dental Clinic, we provide comprehensive denture maintenance, professional cleaning, repairs with the aid of our on-site dental lab, and honest guidance about when replacement is necessary. Our Flowood dental team combines Dr. Tharp’s Prosthodontics expertise with our in-house lab capabilities to deliver denture care that keeps your smile looking and functioning its best.

Need help caring for your dentures? Call our dentists in Flowood at 601-939-4100 to schedule your denture maintenance appointment. We welcome patients from Jackson, Pearl, Brandon, Florence, Canton, and throughout central Mississippi. Let us help you keep your smile in excellent condition!

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