Dentures allow those who have lost some or all of their teeth to regain the appearance and function of natural teeth. Dentures are available as a complete set, but can also be used to replace only some of the teeth. They are typically made out of tough materials that are created to withstand daily use, but it is still important to know how to clean dentures to ensure that they last for as long as possible. If you don’t take the time to clean and care for your dentures, the damage that they sustain over time will eventually damage them to the point that they are no longer able to be worn. Learning how to take care of your dentures will save you the inconvenience of having to get a new pair sooner than necessary, as well as save you from the financial cost of having to replace your dentures too soon.
What’s the best way to properly clean dentures
One of the most important parts of taking care of dentures is cleaning them-and cleaning them the right way. There is a right way and a wrong way to clean your dentures, and the wrong way can lead to scratched and damaged dentures. Even if you don’t have a complete set of dentures, understanding how to take care of partial dentures will save you time and money in the long run. If you are caring for someone who wears dentures, this is also essential information to know, and you should make sure that you are up to date with the latest denture information for caregivers.
Gathering the Corrects Tools
First off, make sure that you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush when cleaning dentures. A toothbrush with tougher bristles might work for natural teeth and regular mouth care, but can harm the artificial material that dentures are made out of. Toothpaste is another product to avoid, as it too can be too harsh. Instead of using your regular toothpaste when cleaning dentures, you can use mild soap or a cleaning solution that is meant specifically for cleaning dentures without damaging them.
Cleaning
Once you’ve gathered the appropriate materials, you’ll be ready to go for your regular denture maintenance. After removing the dentures from your mouth, the first step for cleaning them is rinsing them with lukewarm water. Next, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a denture-safe cleaning solution to gently brush them and clean the dentures of any remaining debris. After brushing your dentures, rinse them one more time with lukewarm water.
Soaking
After going through the cleaning steps listed above, there is one more part of your denture cleaning routine to add on before you go to each night. After your dentures have been thoroughly cleaned, you need to soak them overnight. This keeps them from drying out, which would be bad news. Dry dentures have a tendency to lose their shape and become more fragile over time, which you clearly don’t want to happen. As far as what to soak them in, lukewarm water is fine. If you would prefer, there are also specially-made denture cleaning solutions that are made with this in mind.
Denture care instructions
What are dentures made out of? They can be made out of a variety of materials, including resin, acrylic, and porcelain. While some denture materials might require special attention (ask your dentist about this if you’re not sure!), there are general care tips that everyone should be aware of. Knowing how to take of dentures is essential for anyone who wears them.
1. Rinse dentures after eating
As discussed in the above section regarding best practices for cleaning your dentures, rinsing them is an important step in any denture-cleaning routine. This step isn’t just meant for the end of the day right before you go to bed though, you should also make sure that you take the time to rinse your dentures after eating to make sure that no food particles become trapped in them.
2. Brush your dentures daily
Again, this is likely the important part of denture care. Without brushing your dentures daily, they will become worn and damaged much more quickly than they would with appropriate care, leading to the need for sooner-than-necessary and expensive denture replacement.
3. Schedule regular appointments with your dentist
Keeping up with your regular dental appointments is great for your overall health, and is also a great way to make sure that your dentures are kept in good shape. Visits with your dentist will keep your teeth clean, as well as allow a professional to check in with you about the fit and condition of your dentures.
Denture Maintenance Tips
Looking for a quick and simple list of ways to keep your dentures in good shape for as long as possible? Here it is.
- Avoid using hot water for cleaning or soaking your dentures- this can cause damage and alter the fit
- Schedule regular dental maintenance appointments, someone who visits the dentist regularly will be better equipped to care for their dentures
- Stay on top of your daily denture cleaning routine
- Soak dentures overnight in water or denture cleaner
- Make sure that you are using the appropriate denture care products, and avoiding any that are too harsh (and those that contain whitening ingredients!)
- Follow the denture care instructions that are given to you by your dentist, as this might vary slightly based on the specific type of dentures that you have
Common denture care DON’Ts
By this point, you should have a pretty good idea of how to take care of your dentures and make sure that they last for as long as possible. But make sure that you avoid the following common pitfalls with your denture care:
- Using hot water is a major thing to avoid when it comes to anything involving dentures
- Whitening products or any cleaning products that contain bleach
- Forgetting to soak your dentures overnight
- Trying to fix broken dentures on your own-always call your dentist if your dentures are damaged in any way!
- Sleeping in your dentures
FAQ
Keeping dentures in water helps them keep their shape, and prevents them from becoming brittle and more prone to damage.
On average, dentures last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. Their lifespan varies depending on the material that they are made out of , and the way that they are cared for.
Yes, dentures can stain. Just like natural teeth, dentures can be stained by colored beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as tomato products, berries, and tobacco.
Dentures cannot be whitened in the traditional sense. They cannot be lightened beyond their original color, but there are solutions made specifically for dentures that can allow for the removal of stains that have built up over time.
No, you should not wear dentures while getting an MRI. They often contain metal, which can interfere with the MRI machine.
Maintaining a consistent denture cleaning routine will not only keep your dentures in good shape, but will also prevent them from developing a bad smell over time.
