If you are the proud owner of a beautifully bright new smile, courtesy of dentures, you want to keep them sparkling and white. Knowing how to clean dentures can not only keep your dentures looking like new, but it can also help prolong their life. Here’s your guide to denture care.
Why is denture care so important?
Approximately 120 million people in the U.S. are missing one or more teeth. Many choose to restore their smile with full or partial dentures. Whether you have a full mouth restoration with dentures or are replacing just a few teeth with removable dentures, denture care is crucial not only for the sake of appearance but also for your overall health.
Cleaning dentures regularly helps keep them from staining, but there is another important reason to keep them clean.
Dentures are susceptible to a thin coating of biofilm, the catch-all term used for any type of living organism that covers the surface of your teeth. This biofilm can contain harmless bacteria, but it may also contain methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). When inhaled, MRSA can cause lung infections that are challenging to treat, a potentially serious health complication for older and immune-weakened patients with dentures.
Additionally, bacteria left on dirty dentures can make its way into tiny cuts and scrapes in the mouth, causing infection and other complications.
Proper denture care protects your smile and your good health.
The basics of how to clean dentures
Proper denture care generally consists of daily, weekly, and bi-annual tasks.
This need not be daunting or overly time-consuming. Developing a regular routine can help make this easier.
How to clean dentures: Daily tasks
Dentures should be brushed at least once a day (but twice for best results). When you clean your dentures, handle them carefully over the sink. If you drop them, they are less likely to be damaged in the fall. Careful handling also protects wire frames if they are present.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and specific denture cleanser to gently clean all surfaces of dentures, just as you would your natural teeth. Do not use regular toothpaste or other abrasive cleaners, as this can scratch dentures and make way for stains and harmful bacteria to lodge in the scratches. Rinse well after brushing.
Once you have thoroughly brushed your dentures, use regular toothpaste to brush your gums and tongue before rinsing your mouth with mouthwash.
There is no need to brush your dentures every time you eat, but rinse dentures after every meal.
Remove dentures nightly, placing them in water to help keep them hydrated and prevent warping or shrinking. You can use a mild denture soak, as recommended by your dentist. Make sure to rinse thoroughly before putting back in your mouth, as you are not meant to ingest the denture soak.
As with natural teeth, avoid staining dentures by staying away from staining foods and drinks. These are typically highly acidic foods, including
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Black tea
- Berries
- Citrus juice
- Soda
If you do consume these foods and drinks, give your mouth a rinse with water afterwards.
How to clean dentures: Weekly tasks
In addition to a daily thorough brushing and overnight soak, it is important to take time every week to give your dentures a thorough once-over. Look carefully for any cracks, chips, or splits. Examine any metal parts for corrosion or bending, both of which can irritate and inflame your gum tissue.
A weekly deep cleaning soak is also a good idea. Select cleaning products that have received the American Dental Associations Seal of Acceptance. This seal means that the products meet the following four criteria:
- They list ingredients
- They have been proven effective in at least one clinical study
- There are no hazards when used as directed (health or otherwise)
- They do not harm any of the structures in your mouth (e.g., gums or natural teeth)
Deep cleaning dentures once a week protects the dentures, prevents staining, and keeps your whole mouth healthy.
How to clean dentures: Bi-annual tasks
Even with excellent daily and weekly care, there are two important bi-annual tasks to keep your dentures in good shape.
The first of these biannual tasks is to visit your dentist twice a year for a regular check-up. Your dentist will clean your natural teeth and gums and evaluate the fit of your dentures.
Dentures can last for five to seven years with proper care, but there are some signs that they need to be replaced or refitted. These signs include:
- Chronic irritation or inflammation under or around the denture
- Wear on the denture itself (including chips, cracks, or broken artificial teeth)
- Change in the natural teeth (i.e., lost teeth or wear from the denture itself)
You may also opt for a professional denture cleaning twice a year to really get into the spaces that your regular diligent cleaning might miss.
Your dentist is specifically trained to use denture-safe whiteners and cleaners for the best results. Since at-home whiteners and bleaches can damage dentures and shorten their life, this twice-annual routine can help refresh your smile and keep it looking bright.
How to repair dentures
While it’s true that there are denture repair kits, repairing your own (expensive) dentures is not something we advise at AZ Dentist.
The only time this might be a good idea is if you have sustained an injury to the mouth and your dentures are poking wires into your gums. If this occurs, you may need to bend the wire away from your cheek or gum, then give your emergency dentist a call for a repair or replacement.
If you find yourself with dentures that you can’t repair on your own, you need a weekend dentist with multiple locations across Phoenix. Give AZ Dentist a call; we’re here when you need us!
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