Which practice is recommended when handling dentures when not in use?

• A. Handle carefully and place in water when not in use.
• B. Hold by the denture's teeth only.
• C. Soak in sanitizer for quick cleaning.
• D. Store in the resident's pocket

Answer: (A)

Keeping dentures moist and handling them with care when they’re not in use helps maintain their shape and prevent damage to both the appliance and the resident’s mouth. Handle the dentures gently, supporting them securely instead of grabbing at the teeth, so you don’t bend or break the denture. Place them in water (or a denture-soaking solution as directed) to keep them hydrated until the next use. Soaking in sanitizer isn’t the appropriate routine for storage and could harm the denture or irritate the mouth, and storing dentures in a resident’s pocket is unsafe due to loss or contamination.