Did you ever think you’d be talking about denture cups again? Denture care in assisted living has come a long way since the days of overnight soakings and minty fizzing tablets on the night shift. But here’s a surprising truth: between 25% and 43% of assisted living residents are completely edentulous, meaning they’ve lost all their natural teeth. And many more live with partial tooth loss, which can lead to food getting trapped and plaque building up under partial dentures often accelerating decay in the remaining teeth.

Unfortunately, managing dentures isn’t always easy for residents. Some need help removing them, especially those with cognitive decline or fine motor impairments. It’s not just about forgetfulness; it’s also about physical ability. When dentures stay in overnight or worse, for multiple days, the consequences go well beyond oral hygiene. Risks include infections, sores, and even nutritional challenges if chewing becomes painful or ineffective.

The clinical importance of proper denture care in assisted living is laid out clearly in this McKnight’s Clinical News article, which explains best practices and why caregiver support makes such a difference. Brushing dentures daily (without toothpaste) and encouraging nightly removal aren’t just best practices, they’re essential steps to protecting health and dignity.

This is about dignity, too. Keeping a clean, functional set of dentures allows a resident to smile without hesitation and enjoy their meals with confidence. Denture care plays a key role in quality of life as we age.

So, let’s look at denture management not as a routine hygiene chore but as a chance to truly care for our residents. With nearly one-third likely to be completely edentulous, your efforts matter more than ever. Whether it’s reminding someone to take out their dentures or giving them a hand with brushing, you’re making a real impact, one smile at a time.

Stay well and stay informed!