Purpose

• A denture is an artificial tooth or set of artificial teeth. Often called “false teeth,” dentures replace missing teeth.
• Mouth care is given and dentures cleaned as often as natural teeth.
• Dentures are slippery when wet. They easily break or slip if dropped onto a hard surface. Hold them firmly when removing or inserting them. During cleaning, firmly hold them over a basin of water lined with a towel.
• Use only denture cleaning products, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Hot water causes dentures to lose their shape. If not worn after cleaning, store dentures in a container of cool or warm water or denture-soaking solution.
• Dentures usually are removed at bedtime. Some people do not wear their dentures. Others wear them for eating and remove them after meals.

Equipment

Roll cursor over items to see labels. For the purposes of clearly depicting the equipment, a barrier is not shown in this photo. When providing care, a barrier should always be placed on the surface before placing the equipment.

Two hand towels

Kidney basin

Denture brush or toothbrush (for cleaning dentures)

Toothpaste

Soft-bristles toothbrush or sponge swabs (for oral hygiene)

Water cup with cool water

Mouthwash or solution noted on the care plan

Denture cup labeled with the person's name and room and bed number

Denture cleaning agent

Gloves

Paper towels

Gauze squares

Delegation

• Follow delegation guidelines. Before providing denture care, obtain this information from the nurse and care plan:
  • The type of oral hygiene to give
  • If flossing is needed
  • What cleaning agent and equipment to use
  • If you apply lubricant to the lips (If so, what lubricant to use)
  • How often to give oral hygiene
  • How much help the person needs
  • What observations to report and record
  • When to report observations
  • What patient or resident concerns to report at once

Preparation

• Observe quality-of-life measures.
• Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Collect the equipment.
• Place the paper towels on the over-bed table. Arrange items on top of them.
• Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the assignment sheet. Also call the person by name.
• Provide for privacy.
• Raise the bed for body mechanics.

Safety

• Dentures are the person’s property and are costly. Handle them very carefully. Label the denture cup with the person’s name and room and bed number. Report lost or damaged dentures at once. Losing or damaging dentures is negligent conduct.
• Never carry dentures in your hands. Always use a denture cup or kidney basin. You could easily drop the dentures as you move to and from the bedside and bathroom.

Comfort

• Many people do not like to be seen without their dentures. Privacy is important. Allow privacy when the person cleans dentures. If you clean dentures, return them to the person as quickly as possible.
• Persons with dentures may have some natural teeth. They need to brush and floss the natural teeth.

Follow-up Care

• Assist with hand washing.
• Provide for comfort.
• Place the call light within reach.
• Lower the bed to the low position. Raise or lower bed rails. Follow the care plan.
• Remove the towel from the sink. Drain the sink.
• Rinse the brushes. Clean, rinse, and dry equipment. Return the brushes and equipment to their proper place. Discard disposable items. Wear gloves for this step.
• Wipe off the over-bed table with paper towels. Discard the paper towels.
• Unscreen the person.
• Complete a safety check of the room.
• Follow agency policy for dirty linens.
• Remove and discard the gloves. Practice hand hygiene.

Reporting/Recording

• Report and record your observations, including:
  • Dry, cracked, swollen, or blistered lips
  • Mouth or breath odor
  • Redness, swelling, irritation, sores, or white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
  • Bleeding, swelling, or redness of the gums
  • Loose or broken teeth
  • Rough, sharp, or chipped areas on dentures