Many patients that are confined to beds are unable to care for their dentures properly. Dentures are cleaned as if they are natural teeth. They can break easily so you will need to take special care and be careful not to drop them. When they are not in use they need to be stored in cool water to prevent them from drying out. You always wash them in tepid water, never warm, as high temperatures will cause the dentures to crack.
How to Clean Dentures:
Supplies:
2 Towels
Denture Brush
Cleaning Paste for Dentures (do not use regular toothpaste, it can damage dentures if there is whitening agents in it)
Dentures
Dentures Case
Toothette (a disposable, single-use sponge swab attached to a stick)
Toothpaste
Emesis Basin
A Cup of Water
Washcloth
2 Pairs of Gloves
Tray
Steps:
Knock on patient’s door, then enter
Greet the patient by name, introduce yourself, and the task you will perform
Provide for privacy by shutting the curtains
Wash your hands
Gather all supplies and set up on a towel-covered tray table
Put on gloves
Bring the case of dentures, toothpaste, and denture brush to the sink
At the sink grab a paper towel fold it up and set the denture case, with dentures still in it, on the top of the sink.
Place paper towels in the bottom of the sink to keep dentures from breaking if dropped
Turn the water on cold and check the temperature with your wrist
Take the dentures out of the case and set the lid on the paper towel
Hold the dentures in one hand and the case with the other
Rinse the case out 2 times, fill with cold water, and set aside on the counter
To clean the dentures use a small amount of denture paste and brush on ALL areas
Rinse dentures off, put into case filled with cold water, and put on lid
Rinse off denture brush and store all supplies in dresser
Take off and throw away gloves
Wash hands and put on new gloves
Gather toothette and fill cup of water 1/2 full (for drinking water) and place on tray table
Ask patient if it’s ok if you raise the bed to 60 degrees (so they are sitting up)
Put towel over chest (remember to roll down and away from the patient)
ASK IF THEY HAVE ANY CUTS OR SORES IN THIER MOUTH. If they do you must notify the nurse before moving forward
Have them take a sip of water and spit it into the basin
Put toothpaste on toothette, pour on water (over basin) to get it a little wet
Brush the tops of the gums, and then bottoms, making sure to always start on the outsides and work in
After brushing have them rinse their mouth and spit 2 times in basin
Pat dry with the wash cloth after each spit
Rinse basin in sink and pour out 2 times
Pat dry with clean paper towel and store with paper towel barrier
Take off gloves and wash hands
Place the call light in the patient’s hand, and ask how they would like the head of their bed
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