How to Properly Clean and Care for Your Locator Overdentures

Fortune Business Insights reports that the global dental prosthetics market had a value of $7.83 billion in 2023. Locator overdentures are among the most popular solutions for missing teeth among patients in Wilmington, NC.

They consist of a removable denture  mounted on dental implants in your gums. Locator overdentures have several benefits like:

1. Improved oral function
2. Jaw bone preservation
3. Better gum health

If you want to maximize the benefits of a locator overdenture, you must ensure efficient care and maintenance. Proper cleaning preserves their appearance and prevents oral health conditions.

Continue reading for a simple guide on caring for your locator overdentures at home.

Why Is Proper Cleaning Important for Locator Overdentures?

Locator overdentures can accumulate bacteria and plaque from leftover food particles. Over time, the buildup will lead to issues such as:

1. Gum irritation
2. Attachment damage
3. implant infections like peri-implantitis (bone loss on implants)

Gum disease caused by poor cleaning can cause pain and discomfort when wearing locator overdentures. Good dental hygiene protects gums and supports overdentures long-term without causing discomfort.

Locator overdentures are prone to wear and tear and may start slipping over time. Proper cleaning increases their durability and avoids extensive repairs or replacement.

How Often Should You Clean Your Locator Overdentures?

A consistent daily and weekly cleaning routine will help your locator overdentures last long. 

During daily cleaning, brush the overdentures with a soft-bristle brush and rinse with warm water. Brushing your gums and attachments is also crucial for maintaining good oral health.

Weekly deep cleaning removes stains and bacteria you probably missed in the daily routine. Use overdenture cleaning solutions when soaking to remove stains and leftover food.

Oral concerns cause 80%-85% of cases of bad breath, based on a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

A strict daily and weekly cleaning routine avoids bacterial buildup that causes oral health issues. It prevents bad odor and removes stains from foods and drinks, boosting the appearance of your overdentures.

The Best Way to Clean Locator Overdentures: Step-by-Step 

You should follow cleaning locator overdentures steps such as:

1. Remove your dentures gently
2. Brush them with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleaner such as dish soap
3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water over a half full sink with a towel on the bottom to avoid fracture
4. Soak dentures when doing a deep clean

Dentures are secured by implants, so you must be careful when removing them to avoid damage. Always use a toothbrush for dentures because ordinary ones can scratch the surface, causing it to trap food particles.

Focus on the areas around the locator attachments as you brush since they accumulate food particles. Then rinse with warm water to remove traces of denture cleaner and avoid gum irritation when you wear them again.

During your deep cleaning weekly routine, you should use specialized solutions. Soak your locator overdentures in a container with warm water and a cleaning tablet such as Polident 3-minute Daily Cleanser.

When cleaning your overdentures. Avoid mistakes such as:

1. Using hot water
2. Using abrasive toothpaste
3. Rinsing with over-the-counter mouthwash

Hot water may wrap your locator overdentures, leading to an improper fit. Abrasive toothpaste, on the other hand, can be too harsh and damage your dentures over time.

Over-the-counter mouthwashes are also not recommendable because they may contain harsh chemicals.

Locator Overdentures Cleaning Products: What to Use 

Choosing the right cleaning products for your overdentures is as important as the cleaning process. Here are the products you can use:

Non-abrasive denture cleaners such as:

1. Polident Dentu-Crème
2. Fresh'n Brite Denture Cleaning Paste
3. B Dental Solutions Cleanadent Paste

Soft bristle toothbrushes like:

1. GUM Denture Brush
2. Oral-B Denture Brush
3. Reach Denture Toothbrush
4. Colgate 360° Enamel Health Extra Soft Toothbrush

Tablets and soaking solutions such as:

1. Polident 3-Minute Denture Cleanser
2. Efferdent Anti-Bacterial Denture Cleanser Tablets
3. Fresh Guard Soak Crystals

Using dental-approved products avoids damage to locator overdentures and extends their durability.

How to Maintain Locator Overdentures Attachments and Implants 

If you don't clean implants and attachments holding your locator overdentures, you may get an infection

Floss and brush around the attachments to remove food particles your toothbrush doesn't reach. You can use a water flosser because it's gentle and won't dislodge the abutments.

Your gum's health will influence the longevity of your dental implants. Some tips to keep the surrounding gums healthy include:

1. Brush with a soft brush
2. Floss regularly
3. Visit the best dentist for professional cleaning
4. Rinse your mouth with a dentist-approved mouthwash
5. Limit your sugary and acidic food intake

Locator Overdentures Care: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making common overdenture care mistakes shortens their lifespan and makes them less appealing. Avoid frequent errors like:

1. Not soaking your dentures properly
2. Skipping the daily cleaning routine
3. Ignoring implant care
4. Improper handling

The CDC says that over 2 million dental emergency visits occur annually. Frequent dental checkups will help you detect oral health conditions early and ensure you get proper treatment. Avoid skipping these sessions to benefit from professional denture assessment and maintenance.

How to Keep Your Locator Overdentures Hygienic During Travel

When you're traveling, it can be tricky to maintain your care routine, but it's possible with the proper preparation and products

Portable denture cleaning kits are compact and easy to carry, making them perfect for travel. Look for kits that have items like:

1. A small brush with soft bristles
2. Cleaning tablets
3. A soaking container

If you can't find a complete kit with these three items, use travel-sized versions of your regular cleaning products. Doing so will ensure you maintain proper hygiene even when away from home.

Get Professional Care and Maintenance for Locator Overdenture

The best practices for denture care will maintain your overdentures and avoid oral health conditions. Have a good daily cleaning routine and do deep cleaning weekly to prevent plaque buildup and staining.

Use the right cleaning products to maintain the attachments. You should also avoid common mistakes to keep your locator overdenture in good condition.

J.Pan Prosthodontics in Wilmington, NC, offers specialized patient guidance and professional care. Our treatments will help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile and protect your oral health.

Do you have any questions about caring for your locator overdentures? Reach out to us for comprehensive denture care.