Tips for Cleaning Your Dentures
If you have “traditional” dentures, also known as “complete” dentures, they come out of your mouth regularly for a thorough cleaning – or should, anyway.
Proper cleaning will keep your mouth healthy; protect your dentures from permanent stains and other, similar problems; and even make your dentures last longer. Here are the best tips for cleaning your complete dentures.
Clean your mouth, not just the dentures.
When you have your teeth out, you can brush your gums and tongue with a soft-bristled, regular toothbrush. Use a small amount of toothpaste to get everything clean, and rinse well before you reinsert your dentures.
This ensures that your teeth have a smooth, clean surface, which encourages the suction that keeps them in place. Keeping your mouth clean can also reduce the number of sore spots and other forms of irritation.
When you remove your dentures for cleaning, rinse them in lukewarm water.
Use a denture toothbrush to remove food particles and other buildup – this way, the cleaning solution will work better. Make sure that the water isn’t too hot or too cold, because dentures can warp if you aren’t careful.
Your dentist probably gave you a tub: a small, plastic container that holds your dentures and cleaning solution. If not, you can pick one up at a pharmacy or discount-department store.
You should remove your teeth once a day and let them soak in the solution. This removes stains and food particles before they become big problems, and gives your gums some rest and exposure.
As for denture cleaners: look for ones that have been approved by a Dental Association. They’ll have the association’s logo on the packaging, which assures you that the products have been tested and proven to be safe for both you and your dentures.
If you can’t or won’t buy cleaners made specifically for dentures, you can use mild dish soap.
Be sure that you do not use a cleaner that contains bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals, because these can be toxic to you. They can also destroy your dentures, which aren’t designed to withstand these types of cleaners.
Ideally, you’ll leave your dentures in their tub to soak overnight. This is good for your gums as well as your teeth – just remember that dentures need to be kept moist to prevent them from drying out and, possibly, cracking.
In the morning, brush your mouth before you put the teeth back in and you should have a fresh, healthy feeling all day long.
Smilecare Plymouth provides denture services, please get in touch to today!