Just like your natural teeth, you need to clean your dentures every day. Without proper cleaning, your partial or full dentures could become permanently stained. Cleaning also prevents the bacteria build-up that causes infections and impacts your overall health. Every day at Country Club Dental, we teach people how to care for their dentures—here’s a rundown of our best tips on how to clean dentures.
How to Clean Dentures & Partials Properly
1: Denture Brushing
Brush your dentures at least once a day, and preferably after every time you eat. When brushing your dentures, use a specially-designed denture brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner. Always use warm—not hot!—water to rinse your dentures after brushing.
Just like real teeth, food particles can adhere to dentures, causing stains and bacteria to grow. Because the design of dentures mimics the shapes of natural teeth, they contain a lot of grooves where food can also get stuck. If you continue to wear dentures with all those food particles on them, they can irritate your gums, causing gum disease and other issues.
2: Denture Soaking
To keep your dentures soft and pliable, you need to soak them every night to rehydrate them. If you skip this step, your dentures will dry out, and they will not fit correctly. They could even crack or break! Make sure to use a specially-formulated denture soak that carries the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
3: Clean Your Mouth
After brushing and soaking your dentures, take a few minutes to clean the inside of your mouth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush on any natural teeth you still have, as well as your gums, tongue, and the insides of your cheeks. This helps to remove food particles as well as any denture adhesive that may still be stuck to your gums.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Dentures
Now that you know how to clean partial dentures and full dentures, here are a few things you should avoid:
- Never place your dentures in hot or boiling water—this can warp them, causing them to change shape and lose their fit.
- Never use abrasive substances, such as hard-bristled brushes or regular toothpaste—especially whitening toothpaste—as they can damage the soft denture material or cause discoloration.
- Never use any type of bleach on your dentures, because it can also damage your dentures.
We know that there are many recommendations online for DIY denture-soaking solutions using household products like apple cider vinegar and baking soda. However, dentures are very delicate, and hash substances like these could damage your dentures. Additionally, these types of household items do not clean as well or remove bacteria the way that specially-formulated denture solutions can.
For these reasons, we highly recommend sticking to products specifically designed for denture care. If you want to try any of these DIY methods, talk to us first! We can help you find a solution that won’t damage your delicate dentures.
Dentist in Flagstaff
Dentures are medical devices that require a bit of specialized care to keep them in the best shape possible. Knowing how to clean your full or partial dentures will keep them functioning properly and looking great for up to ten years. If you are in need of denture maintenance or would like some personalized tips on how to clean and care for your dentures, call Country Club Dental in Flagstaff today at 928-526-4314. We would be happy to have you come in so we can advise you on best practices.
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