Although the novel coronavirus is not the most deadly flu virus, it is new and highly infectious. And older people are at a greater risk. Since many–though not all by any means–of our denture patients are older, we want to make sure they do everything they can to stay safe during this pandemic. 

Here are some tips to reduce risks related to catching coronavirus and developing COVID-19 because of your dentures

Man sneezing into his hand

Keep Your Dentures in All Day

Removing your dentures can increase your chances of spreading coronavirus in several ways. First, you’re putting your hands in your mouth, which can transfer the virus from your hands to your mouth, leading to infection. 

Second, you might put your dentures down onto a surface that has the virus on it, and then transport the virus to your mouth when you put your dentures back in. 

Finally, if you’re a carrier of the virus, you can spread it around by taking your dentures out and putting them on different surfaces in your house. 

So it’s best to just keep your dentures in your mouth most of the time, removing them only for cleaning. If you take your dentures out or if your dentures come out accidentally, make sure you clean them before putting them back in. 

Advise Others If They Spit When They Talk

Dentures can affect your speech. For many people, the problem is that it’s hard to be understood. For others, the problem might be that they spit when they talk. 

The novel coronavirus normally spreads when saliva and other bodily fluids are spread through the air as aerosols. Usually this is linked to coughing and sneezing, but it can also be linked to spitting when you talk. If you tend to spit when you talk because of your dentures, try to keep it under control and advise others if they have this problem. 

Follow Cleanliness Guidelines

Follow guidelines for cleaning your house, your hands, and your dentures. 

It’s a good idea to follow sanitation guidelines to reduce the amount of coronavirus in your house. Follow procedures to clean all the things you bring into your house, including groceries.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your dentures. Make sure to take at least 20 seconds washing your hands. Make sure you are thoroughly cleaning all parts of your hands. 

Finally, make sure  you thoroughly clean your dentures every time you remove them. If you take out your dentures to eat, make sure you clean them well before putting them in. If you eat with your dentures in but clean them after eating, don’t do a quick rinse–give them a full cleaning. 

Always use a recommended cleaner for your dentures. These are effective at keeping the virus from adhering to your dentures. Don’t try unapproved denture cleaners. You might think they are more effective, but it’s not worth the risk of damaging your dentures to try out an unproven solution. 

And don’t forget to soak dentures overnight.

Better Dentures Can Help

We expect that many people will find that they are unhappy with their current dentures during this crisis. You might find that your dentures are too uncomfortable to wear all day. Perhaps they come out accidentally, making you nervous about infection risk. Or perhaps you can’t stop spraying when you talk. In any of these situations, a better set of dentures, such as FOY® Dentures, can make things easier in the future. 

If you are looking for better dentures, you can contact a local FOY® Dentures dentist, and set up an appointment for once the American Dental Association recommends resuming normal dental care.