How to clean dentures
Picture of Reviewed By:  <a href="/blog/author/sofia-vaqar/" style="color:#5E5EEE">Sofia Vaqar</a>
Reviewed By: Sofia Vaqar

Experienced Dentist at :  LiT Dental

How to Clean Dentures?

It is as important to clean your dentures as it is to brush your natural teeth. Not only do clean dentures look better and taste fresher, but they also help to keep your mouth bacteria and infection free. Regardless of the years you have been wearing dentures or not, understanding how to clean dentures at home is a huge difference in your oral health and comfort. There are a lot of common cleaning mistakes that most individuals commit that may ruin their dentures or leave them with harmful bacteria. The fact that dentures can be easily taken care of when you understand how to go about it and what type of materials to apply is good news. We are going to discuss all that you should know about keeping your dentures glittering and your mouth clean.

What is the best way to clean dentures every day so as to retain their freshness and cleanliness?

To learn how to clean dentures at home, first of all it is necessary to create a daily routine. Like natural teeth, dentures accumulate food particles, plaque and bacteria over the day, which should be removed on a regular basis. Take off the dentures after the meal and wash them with running water so as to get rid of the loosening food bits. Clean all the surfaces with denture cleaner using a soft-bristled denture brush, not a regular toothbrush. Particularly observe those parts that are exposed to your gums and the cracks where the food is likely to be concealed. Although this may seem like a daily cleaning routine even when you have implant supported dentures, such cleaning continues to keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.

Appropriate Daily Cleaning Schedule.

  • Clean after eating: Take off dentures and close the running water.
  • Use appropriate equipment: A soft-bristled denture brush that is specifically made to clean dentures.
  • Clean surfaces: Clean inside, outside and the surfaces of the chew.
  • Clean your mouth: Brush your tongue, palate and gums with softly bristled toothbrush.
  • Careful handling: clean dentures in over a folded towel or under a pool of water in a sink to avoid being broken in case of falling.
  • Morning and night: Wash your dentures at least twice a day to maintain good health.

Which cleaning products should or should not be used to clean dentures?

The proper cleaning materials are important when one is learning to clean dentures at home safely and effectively. The denture-specific cleaners are designed in a way that they eliminate the stains and bacteria without harming the denture material. Do not apply normal toothpaste on dentures, it is too abrasive and will scratch the surface forming small grooves where bacteria can live and proliferate. Also, keep off of your dentures harsh household cleaners, bleach or hot water as this may cause warping or permanent damage. Regardless of the type of denture that you have, be it the traditional dentures or the implant supported dentures, use products that are made to deal with dentures itself so as to safeguard your investment.

Household Products vs. Denture-Safe Cleaners.

Safe denture cleaners: These products are safe denture pastes, liquid denture cleansers or effervescent denture cleaning tablets, which are specifically designed to clean the denture and not to scratch or damage the denture material, making them clean and leaving them useful much longer.

Products to avoid: Do not ever use regular toothpaste (too abrasive), bleach products (can weaken and discolor denture), hot water (warps the plastic) or whitening toothpastes (damage surface) or harsh house cleaners (chemically harmful)-the products permanently damage the denture and need expensive replacement of the denture.

What do you do to clean dentures of stains and odor?

Hardly cleanable stains and smell are developed in the process of frequent cleaning yet can be eliminated through the right cleaning attitude. Place your dentures in a denture cleaner, or in effervescent denture tablets solution, within the recommended time period- 15 to 30 minutes, as indicated on the package. On hard stains, certain types of denture cleaners have whitening formula for dentures. Wipe off with brush to get off the loose ones. Constant smells are a likely sign of bacteria accumulation, therefore it is necessary to clean daily and soak at night. You should call in a professional cleaning-dental professional to deep clean the house if the stains or odor remains, even after the house is well maintained, since they have special equipment that would clean your dentures, without causing harm to them.

Should dentures be left overnight?

It should be made a point always to soak your dentures overnight. This evening rinsing is an essential component in the process of acquiring the skills of cleaning dentures at home. The majority of dentures require an environment that is humid in order to preserve shape- drying up may lead to warping which will impact fitting and comfort. Put your dentures in plain water or denture soaking solution at night when you sleep. This longer soaking period gives time to cleaning solutions to penetrate deep and get rid of bacteria and accumulation which cannot be removed by brushing alone. Even the implant supported dentures will enjoy the advantage of overnight soaking to maintain the removable parts of the dentures fresh and bacteria free.

Overnight Soaking advantages.

  • Stays in shape: Prevents the dry-up and distortion of denture material.
  • Deep cleaning: Permits the cleaning substance to have a long period of penetrating the tough bacteria and stains.
  • Gum rest: Allows your gums time to recover after pressure and friction.
  • Eliminates bacteria: Minimizes destructive bacteria that may lead to infection or bad breath.
  • Increases life: Dentures are not cracked or damaged because they are properly hydrated.
  • Enhances comfort: Maintained dentures are more comfortable.
  • Odor prevention: Bacteria that cause odor are found and removed in regular overnight soaks.

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Conclusion

Denture maintenance at home and with the help of the dentist makes your smile stay healthy and beautiful. The team of experienced dentists at LiT Dental in McKinney, TX offers a variety of dental services in denture care, such as professional cleanings, denture adjustments, and professional advice on how dentures can be effectively cleaned at home. Our company also provides implant-supported dentures to patients who will require a more lasting solution.

In addition to the denture services, LiT Dental offers full-service care, such as dental crowns, veneers, dental bonding, and fillings, to complete your oral health care requirements. No questions or concerns about denture care should remain unanswered; it is high time you book your appointment with LiT Dental to get a taste of professional and friendly dental treatment to maintain your smile and mouth healthy.

Sofia Vaqar

Experienced Dentist at :  LiT Dental

Dr. Vaqar is a caring and committed dentist with over 10 years of experience in helping individuals feel confident in their smiles. Graduated from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Vaqar has built her career and developed a desire to help patients with dental problems.