Are your dentures getting dirty? Wondering what you can use to clean dentures? Can you clean dentures with baking soda? Can you soak dentures in mouthwash? If you are wondering how to clean false teeth properly then you should keep reading.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are the most popular fake teeth solutions for people who have lost some or all their teeth. In fact, research shows that about 15% of the edentulous population has dentures made every year. Edentulism affects the elderly and the economically disadvantaged.
They enable you to eat and speak naturally. Also, dentures bring back that bright smile on your face. Like your natural teeth, dentures need attention. Due to the presence of bacteria in your mouth, you risk periodontal infection. But if you have dentures, “What is the best way to clean dentures?” is a logical question.
Can You Whiten Dentures?
Yes, you can whiten dentures. What most patients don’t know is that lack of cleaning your dentures can result in stains. But never fear. There are solutions that will whiten your dentures.
Want to know how much premium dentures cost?
How to remove stains from dentures?
You can prepare a simple home remedy that includes half a glass of water and half a glass of vinegar. This denture cleanser helps to dissolve the stains. All you need to do is soak the dentures in the solution. This is how to clean dentures naturally.
If you are wondering what can I soak my dentures in overnight here is the answer. They sell denture cleaners in the pharmacy. Cleaning dentures is easy, just soak them over night.
How long does cleaning take? Generally you want the dentures to soak for 6-7 hours.
After a couple of hours, brush the dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush for dentures. This removes debris. Besides the home remedy above, you can have your dentures cleaned professionally at your dentist office.
Make an appointment with your dentist and ask if your dentures can clean them professionally. Professional cleaning takes a few minutes, and to ensure they stay white always, repeat twice a year. Read about the benefits of dentures.
To preserve your dental health, you must undertake stringent dental cleaning practices. Why you may ask. The cleaner your dentures are, the longer they last.
In this post, we covered three ways how to clean dentures.
Brush and Rinse Your Dentures Each Day
One of the trendiest solutions recommended by dentists is brushing and rinsing your dentures. But can you use toothpaste on dentures? Like natural teeth, food and plaque can accumulate. This may lead to permanent stains on the dentures.
To ensure your dentures are sparkling clean, brush, and rinse every day. What you need to avoid is using toothpaste. Although toothpaste is highly recommended for natural teeth, its abrasive nature creates microscopic scratches on the dentures. Try using liquid hand soap instead.
With time, plaque and food particles build-up, leading to staining. Instead of toothpaste, we recommend that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Please don’t use a toothbrush with hard bristles as it will wear down or damage your dentures.
To clean your dentures, gently brush the surface, and rinse. Repeat this after every meal. Snap on dentures are cleaned the same way.
Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner
When you fail to clean your dentures, bacteria will act on the food particles between your dentures. This leads to bad breath. Research shows that bad breath affects more than 87% of denture wearers. This is because food turns rancid within hours if proper cleaning practices aren’t carried out.
If you want to know if your dentures are affecting your breath, place them in a sealed plastic bag. Let them sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Now, unseal the bag? Can you detect a bad odor coming from the bag?
If you do, use an ultrasonic denture cleaner. The cleaner looks like a small bathtub. It has a cleaning solution. All you need to do is immerse your dentures in the solution. Once in the solution, the device generates a wave motion, which helps to dislodge deposits.
What you ought to know is that the cleaner is not a replacement for daily brushing.
Soak in a Cleaning Solution
You can prepare a denture cleansing solution by adding a denture cleaner tablet in water. The solution helps to kill odor-causing bacteria and lifts stains. Besides lifting stains, the solution cleans deeply, restoring the dentures’ original color.
To prepare the cleansing solution, visit your local pharmacy and buy the tablets. At home, warm a glass of water, and drop one tablet. Do not use hot water as it can warp the dentures.
Soak the dentures for 3 to 5 minutes and then brush with a soft-bristled brush. Discard the solution and rinse using warm or cool running water.
You can use a microwave to cleanse the dentures. Place your dentures in a microwave container. Make sure they have no metal components. Fill the container with water and drop a tablet of denture cleaner.
Cover the container with a towel and microwave for two minutes. Allow them to cool then rinse with warm running water.
Denture Sores
Denture wearers will often be subject to sores on the gums. This is when the denture cuts into the gums. Much like a blister on your heel, wearing anything on top of it can be excruciating. The only way to permanently get rid of denture sores are to have the denture relieved in the area by a qualified dentist. In the meantime you can place a denture adhesive strip inside to help provide a cushion when chewing.
Should You Keep Your Dentures in Water Overnight?
Yes, dentists recommend that you store your dentures in water overnight. By preserving them in warm water, it prevents drying and cracking. Besides preventing the dentures from drying, keeping them in water also helps to maintain their shape.
Before putting them back in your mouth, rinse the dentures in warm running water. We recommend that you talk to your dentist and seek advice on how to clean and care for your dentures.