Dentures today look natural, feel comfortable, and restore confident smiles—but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, dentures have a long and fascinating history filled with trial, error, and major breakthroughs. From early materials that were far from comfortable to today’s custom-designed restorations, dentures have evolved dramatically over the years.

Understanding this evolution helps explain why modern dentures are such an effective and reliable option for replacing missing teeth.

Dentures are remarkable prosthetic devices that can restore the appearance and function of a patient’s smile after severe tooth loss, and millions of people have used them to complete their grins. These astounding prosthetic devices require a rigorous hygiene and maintenance regimen to stay in great shape, but you can brush them between cleaning sessions to remove clinging debris and freshen your breath. Here’s a quick look at how you should clean your dentures and how you can brush them without damaging them.