Denture Care & Maintenance
What is the best way for me to clean and take care of my dentures?
It can be easy to forget that dentures have to be cleaned just like natural teeth. Here are some recommendations for cleaning your dentures effectively:
- Rinse dentures after eating - Rinse your dentures to remove food debris. It is recommended to put some water in the sink so the dentures won't break when you drop them.
- Handle them carefully - the plastic and the metal clasps are prone to fracture from excessive force
- Clean your mouth - Use some gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean your tongue, cheeks and palate
- Brush them daily - Gently clean your dentures by brushing with a denture cleanser to remove food and plaque buildup. Do not use denture cleansers in your mouth.
- Soak them at night - Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for soaking solutions.
- Rinse dentures before putting them back in your mouth - the solutions can contain harmful chemicals that are not intended to be swallowed.
- Schedule regular dental checkups - Loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection. Your dentist can help ensure a proper fit to prevent sores and discomfort and also check the inside of your mouth.
- Avoid abrasive cleaning products - Avoid hard-bristled brushes and strong cleansers as they are too abrasive for the acrylic. Whitening toothpastes are too abrasive
- Avoid bleach products - Bleaching products will weaken dentures and change their color. Dentures with metal attachments soaked in solutions that contain chlorine will tarnish and corrode.
- Avoid hot water - hot water can warp the acrylic