How Do I Clean Dentures?

f you have missing teeth, replacing them as soon as possible is important. Not only do missing teeth affect your smile and confidence, but they can also cause problems such as bone loss, changes to your facial structure, misaligned teeth, and affect your ability to chew and speak.

Dentures are an excellent way to avoid such dental problems by replacing missing teeth. They help improve the appearance of your smile and restore functionality. Whether you’ve lost your teeth due to tooth decay, trauma, injury, or gum disease, they are an effective and affordable tooth replacement solution. 

At Melton Dental, we offer custom-made dentures fabricated at our state-of-the-art laboratory. Made from premium materials and fitted in by one of our skilled dentists, we make sure that you get the best care possible. Depending on your needs and concerns, we offer different types of dentures, including: 

• Conventional dentures – They are a removable set of artificial teeth that sit on top of your gums. If you have an entire arch of missing teeth, conventional dentures are a good option to consider. 
• Partial dentures – If you only have a few missing teeth that need to be replaced, partial dentures are for you. These dentures are held in place by clasps surrounding and holding on to your remaining teeth. 
• Implant-supported dentures – Also called overdentures, these dentures are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth on your upper or lower arches. They offer a more secure fit as they are secured to your jawbone with implants. That’s not all, these implant-supported dentures are also removable, making it easier to care for your dentures. 

While dentures are an excellent tooth replacement option, they need the same care and maintenance just like your normal teeth. Failure to do so can leave you at risk of developing infections, bad breath and other complications. Therefore, a good denture cleaning routine is a must. 

Here’s how you can clean and maintain your dentures to ensure your smile looks and feels its best.  

Brush Your Dentures 

Brushing daily makes up an essential part of your oral hygiene routine. In the same way you brush your teeth, your dentures also need to be brushed twice a day – in the morning and at night. 

1. The first thing you should do is to remove your dentures from your mouth. 
2. Clean the denture using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a denture cleaning brush and a non-abrasive cleaning solution. Brush the entire surface of your denture to remove any food particles and plaque build-up. 
3. Take great care not to drop your dentures, as they can break or fracture. To avoid such a scenario, what you can do is clean your dentures over a basin filled with water or over a towel. 

P.S. If you have any remaining natural teeth, don’t forget to clean them while your dentures are out of your mouth. 

Do You Clean Dentures with Toothpaste?

Avoid using toothpaste to clean your dentures, as it can scratch them. Scratches on the surface of your dentures can make them difficult to clean, and bacteria can easily attach to these scratched surfaces. Using a denture solution is the best way to clean dentures. 

Can You Clean Dentures while Wearing Them? 

The short answer to this question is yes. You can brush and clean your dentures using a soft-bristled toothbrush while wearing them. However, you will need to remove them from the mouth to clean all the surfaces of your dentures effectively. 

Rinse Your Dentures 

Once your dentures are clean, the next step is to rinse them under running water, as it helps to remove any remaining residue from them. To rinse your dentures, hold them gently yet firmly, but avoid holding them at the ends because the pressure may cause them to snap. It’s also a good idea to rinse your dentures with cold water after eating. 

Soak and Disinfect Your Dentures 

Soaking and disinfecting your dentures are important to ensure they remain in optimal condition for longer. This step in your cleaning routine will help remove bacteria or plaque from your dentures while disinfecting them. 

You can use a denture cleaning solution or tablets to soak the dentures. For best results, it’s recommended that you soak your dentures overnight in a special denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from drying up. 

Our dentists at Melton Dental will provide detailed instructions on the specific methods and solutions to clean your dentures. 

Remove your Dentures at Night

Your dentures can be harsh on your gums. This is why we recommend removing your dentures and storing them in a dry, safe location or water before going to sleep at night. By doing this, you are giving your mouth a chance to recover and heal and reduce the risk of developing oral health issues such as gum disease and infection. 

Make sure to rinse your dentures in water before putting them in again the following day. 

Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups

Whether you have any natural teeth remaining or not, it is important to schedule regular dental checkups. These visits allow our dentists to ensure your dentures are functioning correctly without any issues. 

This is especially true because as time goes by, the shape of your mouth can change. As a result, you may end up with loose or ill-fitting dentures that make eating, chewing and speaking difficult. If that’s the case, we will also alter and adjust your dentures as needed to ensure a good fit during these check-ups. 

With regular visits to the dentist, you will be able to make sure that your dentures last longer without any major problems. During these check-ups, our dentist will also examine your gums, tongue and the roof/floor of your mouth for any signs of dental issues that may arise and affect your well-being and confidence.

In addition to the ways mentioned above, here are a few more things you can do to keep your dentures and mouth healthy: 

• Drink plenty of water 
• Limit the intake of sugary foods and drinks 
• Avoid smoking 
• Be gentle when brushing your dentures 
• Avoid eating hard, chewy foods like candy and nuts

What Should You Not Clean Dentures With? 

When cleaning your dentures, there are certain things you should avoid using as the wrong cleaning methods or products can easily damage them. So, here are some things that you should avoid when cleaning your dentures: 

• Abrasive toothpastes which can scratch the denture surface
• Hard-bristled toothbrushes as they can damage the denture
• Hot water as it can cause your dentures to lose shape
• Bleach, household cleaners or detergents as they can damage your dentures

To maintain optimal oral hygiene, you must ensure your dentures are cared for, which helps to make them last longer and function better. At Melton Dental, we are here to help you with all your dentures and tooth replacement needs. Our friendly team is always available to assist you, from fabricating custom-made dentures to providing you with the necessary guidance and support to keep your dentures in good condition.