A holiday should be a chance to relax, explore and enjoy yourself. The last thing you want is a loose, uncomfortable or broken denture causing problems while you are away.
Fortunately, a little preparation can help you travel confidently and avoid many of the most common denture difficulties. Whether you are heading abroad, taking a cruise or enjoying a short break in the UK, this practical checklist will help you look after your dentures throughout your trip.
Have Any Problems Checked Before You Travel
If your dentures feel comfortable, secure and undamaged, there should be no reason why they will interfere with your holiday.
However, do not ignore an existing problem and hope it will wait until you return. Arrange an assessment before travelling if your dentures:
- Move when you eat or speak
- Make a clicking sound
- Rub or create sore areas
- Have developed a small crack
- Feel noticeably different from usual
- Require more adhesive to remain secure
- Have a loose or damaged tooth
The NHS advises denture wearers to seek professional advice if their dentures slip, click, cause pain or appear worn or damaged.
Small problems can become considerably more disruptive when you are away from home. A minor crack, for example, may develop into a complete break if the denture remains under pressure.
What Should Be in Your Denture Travel Kit?
Rather than placing everything in your checked luggage, keep a small denture care kit somewhere easily accessible.
Useful items include:
- A denture brush
- Your usual denture cleaning product
- A rigid, clearly labelled denture container
- Denture adhesive, if you normally use it
- A small towel or flannel
- A soft toothbrush for your gums and natural teeth
- The contact details for your denture clinic
- A serviceable spare denture, if you already have one
If you are flying, consider keeping your essential denture supplies in your hand luggage. Check the current airport and airline restrictions for liquids, gels and cleaning products before packing.
A rigid denture case is particularly important. Wrapping dentures in a tissue or napkin makes them much easier to lose, damage or accidentally throw away.
Keep to Your Normal Cleaning Routine
It is easy for familiar routines to slip while you are on holiday, particularly when you are eating out or returning to your accommodation late at night.
Try to clean your dentures as thoroughly as you would at home. Brush them carefully to remove food, plaque and denture adhesive. You should also clean your gums, tongue and any remaining natural teeth.
Use cool or lukewarm water rather than hot water, which could affect the denture material. Always follow the instructions supplied with your chosen denture cleanser, as not every product is suitable for every type of denture.
Unless your denture clinician has advised otherwise, remove your dentures before sleeping and store them safely. You can read more in our guide to sleeping with dentures.
Take Care When Eating Unfamiliar Foods
Trying the local food is one of the pleasures of travelling, but unfamiliar textures can sometimes catch denture wearers by surprise.
Be careful with particularly hard, sticky or chewy foods. Cut firmer foods into manageable pieces and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth where possible. This distributes pressure more evenly and may help to prevent your dentures from tipping or moving.
There is no need to avoid enjoying yourself, but take a little extra care if something is much harder or stickier than the food you usually eat.
Drink Plenty of Water
Warm weather, air conditioning, flying and increased alcohol consumption can all leave your mouth feeling dry.
A dry mouth may make dentures feel less comfortable and can affect how well some denture adhesives perform. Sip water regularly throughout the day and keep a bottle with you when sightseeing or travelling.
If you frequently experience a dry mouth at home as well as on holiday, mention it to your dentist, doctor or denture clinician. Persistent dryness can have several causes, including certain medicines.
Protect Dentures From Heat and Accidental Damage
Do not leave your dentures or denture care kit in direct sunlight, on a hot windowsill or inside a parked car. Excessive heat can affect some denture materials.
When cleaning your dentures, fill the sink with a little water or place a folded towel underneath. This helps to cushion them if they slip from your hands.
Hotel bathrooms often have hard stone or tiled surfaces, and a denture dropped onto one of these can easily crack.
What Should You Do if Your Denture Breaks?
If your denture cracks or breaks while you are away, remove it carefully and keep all the pieces together in a protective container.
Do not:
- Attempt to glue the denture together
- Use a household repair product
- File or reshape the damaged area
- Continue wearing it if it is sharp, unstable or painful
Household adhesives are not designed for use in the mouth and may make a professional repair more difficult. A poorly attempted repair can also alter the way the denture fits.
If you are still in the UK and need urgent dental assistance but cannot contact your usual provider, NHS 111 can advise you about urgent dental care.
When travelling overseas, contact your travel insurer or holiday representative for help locating a suitable dental professional. Keep any receipts and treatment records in case you need them for an insurance claim or follow-up care when you return.
What if You Lose Your Dentures?
Dentures are sometimes misplaced when they are wrapped in tissues, left beside a swimming pool or placed on a restaurant table.
If you remove them, put them directly into their labelled case. Do not place them loose in a pocket, handbag or washbag.
If you lose your dentures abroad, contact a local dental professional for advice. Creating a properly fitted replacement normally involves taking impressions and completing several stages, so it may not be possible to obtain a permanent replacement immediately.
Arrange Help Before Your Holiday
If you have noticed a crack, looseness, discomfort or another change in your dentures, it is sensible to have the problem checked before you travel.
Harrogate Denture Clinic provides denture assessments, adjustments, relines and repairs from its clinic and on-site laboratory at 48 Otley Road, Harrogate. Same-day repairs and emergency appointments are available where possible.
To arrange a free, no-pressure consultation, call 01423 451536, email info@harrogatedentureclinic.co.uk or contact Harrogate Denture Clinic online.
A quick check before you leave could make the difference between worrying about your dentures and simply enjoying your holiday.