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Dentures are a more affordable and less invasive way of restoring your smile after losing teeth. The set of teeth are customized to your dental structure, enabling you to maintain a comfortable bite and beautiful smile.
Notably, dentures need as much attention as natural teeth — if not more — as they can harbor microorganisms and risk periodontal infection.
You must commit to keeping your dentures clean for the best long-term health and appearance.
How Do You Keep the Dentures Clean?
Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal
Immediately after a meal, run water on the dentures to remove any food particles and debris. Be careful not to drop or bend them.
After cleaning the dentures, use a soft toothbrush and a dentist-recommended toothpaste to brush your teeth, gum, and tongue.
Brush the Dentures Everyday
Patients with dentures should remove the dentures every night before bedtime and clean them with a soft, non-abrasive toothbrush and cleaning agent.
Use a cleaning agent recommended by your dentist and avoid the use of whitening toothpaste. Dentures cannot withstand the abrasive particles contained in many kinds of toothpaste.
Your dentures are much softer than enamel.
Pharmacies have affordable denture cleaning tablets and solutions. You only need to brush the dentures with the cleaning agent, then rinse with clean water.
Another more affordable option is to use soap and water, but you should rinse the dentures well before putting them back in the mouth.
If you prefer to use soap, put some dishwashing detergent on a soft brush. Scrub the dentures gently, paying more attention to the gum line, and then rinse with water. Alternatively, you can use a tiny amount of mouthwash to remove the soap.
Soak the Dentures Overnight
Some dentures need to stay moist at all times. Soak your dentures in water or a mild denture cleaning solution after cleaning, as this helps to sanitize, freshen, and give the false teeth a longer lifespan.
Do not soak in bleach or a corrosive agent. If you are not sure of the best way to clean and store the dentures overnight, consult your dentist.
Before placing the dentures back in the mouth in the morning, thoroughly rinse with water. This is especially important when using a cleaning agent. Note that some denture cleaning solutions have harmful chemicals.
Don’t Miss Regular Dentist Appointments
Dentures need regular professional cleaning to keep them bacteria-free, functional, and able to retain their beautiful, natural look.
During your appointment, Dr. Kohani will evaluate the remaining teeth, gum, and mouth and check the fit of the dentures.
Do You Have Dentures?
If you are concerned about the condition of your teeth, have missing teeth, or do not know how to keep the dentures clean, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kohani. Contact us at 858-295-0603 or fill our online form to speak to us today.
