How do I keep my dentures clean?

Monday, July 10, 2006

Just like natural teeth, dentures can develop a build-up of food, plaque, tartar, as well as stain. It is important to clean your dentures daily and maintain good oral hygiene. You also want to visit your dentists regularly to evaluate your bone and gum tissues.

Before you begin to clean your denture, fill the sink half full with water and place a towel at the bottom of the sink in case you accidentally drop the denture in the sink. The towel will act like a cushion and help prevent the denture from cracking or breaking if dropped in the sink.

Steps to cleaning your denture:

Hold your denture gently. Holding the denture too tight can break the denture.

Rinse your denture with warm water after meals and snacks to remove any food.

Brush your denture with a soft bristled toothbrush or a denture brush. Hard bristled toothbrushes can scratch your denture. Use a separate toothbrush for any natural teeth you may have. Brush your denture 3 times a day, after snacks, and especially before you go to sleep.

Use water, soap, mildly abrasive toothpaste, or dentue paste to brush your dentures. Do not use any scouring powders or abrasive cleaners. These products will scratch your denture. When the denture becomes scratched, there is more chance for the denture to collect debris, increase of plaque build-up, and stains to develop.

Clean all areas of the denture thoroughly.

You may soak your denture in products such as Efferdent, Polident, and the likes. Do not soak your denture in harsh household cleaning products, detergents, or a bleach solution. Rinse with warm water before placing the denture in your mouth.

Do not rinse or soak your denture in hot water. Hot water can distort the denture, causing an improper fit.

Clean your gums daily with a soft bristled toothbrush or a washcloth. This removes any food debris and/or plaque forming on the gum tissue as well as you will be stimulating your gums and increasing circulation.

Take your dentures out when you sleep. This will give your gums a chance to "breathe". Wearing your dentures all the time without giving your gums a chance to breathe can lead to an infection developing in the gum tissue under the denture.

When not wearing your dentures, soak them in water or denture solutions. Your denture is made of a material called acrylic. Acrylic contains water. When the denture is not in your mouth or in a wet environment, the denture will dry out over time and will not fit properly as well as become brittle.

If your denture is becoming stained, or any food particles have hardened on it, do not use any sharp objects to try and remove any build-up or use bleach to remove the stains. Instead, schedule an appointment with your dentist and have your denture professionally cleaned.