Dentures and Denture Care: Costs, Cleaning and Repairs
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
Dentures are available on the NHS as well as privately, they should be cleaned twice a day with a brush and soap (not toothpaste), and they should normally come out at night. If yours are loose, sore or broken, see a dentist: do not rely on more and more fixative, and never try to mend them with household glue.
Types of denture
- Complete (full) dentures replace all the upper teeth, all the lower teeth, or both.
- Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth and clip around the teeth you still have. They are made of plastic or have a thin metal frame.
Getting dentures on the NHS
Any NHS dentist can provide dentures where they are clinically needed. What you pay depends on where you live.
| Nation | How NHS charges work for dentures |
|---|---|
| England | Dentures are in Band 3, the highest of three fixed charges. At the time of writing (November 2026) the NHS website lists Band 3 at £332.10. That one charge covers the whole course of treatment, including any check-up, X-rays, extractions and fillings done as part of it |
| Wales | A set charge for each type of treatment, with a maximum for one course of treatment. Check the current list on the Welsh Government website |
| Scotland and Northern Ireland | Patients who pay are charged 80% of the cost of treatment, up to a maximum for one course of treatment. Your dentist will give you an estimate |
Charges usually change each April, so check the current figure on the NHS dental costs page for England, or the equivalent for your nation. NHS dental treatment is not free simply because you are over 60 or receive the State Pension. It is free if you receive the guarantee part of Pension Credit, and you may get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. See dental plans and NHS dentistry for the full picture.
Private dentures cost more, sometimes a great deal more, and prices vary widely between practices. Private treatment can offer a wider choice of materials and tooth shapes and more appointments for fitting. Ask what is included, how many adjustment visits you get, and what guarantee is given.
Daily cleaning
NHS advice is straightforward:
- Brush your dentures morning and evening with a soft brush and plain soap or washing-up liquid. Do not use toothpaste, which can scratch them.
- Clean them over a bowl or sink of water, or a folded towel, so they do not break if you drop them.
- Rinse them after meals.
- Take them out every night unless your dentist has told you otherwise. Keep them in water, in a denture bath, or in an overnight denture cleaning solution so they do not dry out and warp.
- Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Soaking tablets and solutions help remove stains but are an extra, not a replacement for brushing. Follow the instructions on the pack, rinse well before putting the dentures back in, and check that the product suits dentures with metal parts. Never use bleach or very hot water.
If your grip is weak, a denture brush with a chunky handle is easier to hold, and a plastic denture bath with a lift-out tray saves fishing about in a glass. See easy-grip cutlery for other aids for hands that struggle.
Fixatives (denture adhesives)
A well-fitting denture should stay in place without help. Some people like a little fixative for confidence, and it can be useful while you get used to a new set. Fixatives come as creams, powders and strips.
- Use the small amount stated on the pack. If it oozes out, you have used too much.
- Clean it off your dentures and gums every night.
- Do not use more than the instructions say, or use it for long periods to make a loose denture bearable.
Repairs, relines and replacements
- Broken or cracked. Keep all the pieces and take them to a dentist. On the NHS in England, repairs are free where the denture can be repaired. Home repair kits and superglue can ruin the fit and make a proper repair impossible.
- Loose. A dentist can sometimes reline the denture, which means adding a new layer to the fitting surface, without making a new one.
- Additions. Adding a tooth or a clasp to an existing denture is a lower charge band in England than a new denture.
- Lost. A replacement normally has to be paid for. In hospital or a care home, keep dentures in a named pot: dentures wrapped in a tissue are very easily thrown away. Ask your dentist about having your name marked on them.
Keep going to the dentist
Even with no natural teeth, you still need regular check-ups. The dentist checks the fit and looks at your gums, tongue and the lining of your mouth for anything that needs attention. See a dentist between check-ups if your dentures click, slip or hurt, or if you have bleeding gums, bad breath, or a sore patch or ulcer that has not healed within about three weeks.
Common questions
Can I sleep in my dentures?
The NHS advises taking them out at night unless your dentist recommends otherwise, to rest your gums and lower the risk of infection.
What should I buy to look after them?
A denture brush, a denture bath, plain soap and, if you wish, soaking tablets. As a rough guide, the whole kit costs from around £5 to £15, and own-brand tablets work as well as branded ones.
Is help available with the cost of travel to the dentist?
Help with travel costs is mainly for hospital appointments on referral. If getting to a practice is the difficulty, ask about community dental services or see community transport.