Just as your natural teeth need cleaning twice a day, so do your dentures. But that doesn’t mean you should clean them the same way. In this article, we look at how to clean your dentures, along with answering a few common questions about stains, bleach, cleaning products and other teeth cleaning concerns.
Do not use toothpaste to clean your dentures as it is too abrasive.”
DENTURE CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
We provide all of our patients with a unique denture-cleaning brush to look after their dentures.
- Remove denture from your mouth
- Brush your dentures daily with your denture brush or a soft-bristled toothbrush with soap and water
- We do not recommend using toothpaste on your denture as this can be abrasive
- You may wish to soak your denture in a commercial denture solution/tablet 2-3 times per week.
All denture wearers must clean their dentures and any remaining natural teeth twice daily. Whether they are full or partial, have a soft liner, or are implant-retained, all dentures will develop a film of plaque after being in your mouth. To remove plaque and clean your dentures (false teeth), use a denture brush, warm water and basic hand soap such as Velvet or Dove soap. Alternatively, use an affordable liquid hand wash.
Do not use toothpaste to clean your dentures as it is too abrasive. Dentures are not as hard as your natural teeth and toothpaste contains tiny, abrasive particles that can break them down and make them too porous. Once this happens, they are prone to staining or yellowing.
Toothpaste does leave a fresh, minty taste in your mouth, so we can understand the appeal. So use toothpaste with a soft toothbrush to gently massage your gums and clean any remaining natural teeth you may have. This will keep your gums and remaining teeth healthy while giving you that clean, minty taste.
How to clean dentures when you have oral thrush
Oral thrush (candida) is a yeast infection. It can be a common problem with denture wearers, particularly if you’ve been on antibiotics. The symptoms of thrush include white lesions on your inner cheeks, tongue, gums, tonsils or even on the roof of your mouth. Your mouth may also be red and sore, making it difficult to eat or swallow. Usually, it’s not a severe problem, but you need to treat your thrush by cleaning both your both and denture/s using a specific antifungal product so the thrush doesn’t linger. If you think you may have oral thrush, call the clinic. Bradley will likely put you on a specific cleaning protocol, including using an antifungal mouthwash such as Nilstat.
How to remove stains from your denture
No one wants to have yellow teeth. If your denture has become stained due to certain medications, drinking tea, coffee or red wine and eating various foods, you can have these stains removed. The best way is to bring them into the clinic for professional ultrasonic cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaning will remove any stains and get them looking near-new again. Ultrasonic cleaning will also remove any calcium deposits. Also, a calcium buildup can interfere with the fit of your denture, making them uncomfortable. We recommend an ultrasonic cleaning approximately every 18 months.
Can I clean my dentures with lemon juice?
Yes, you can use lemon juice to clean your dentures. Lemon juice will help bleach the dentures and make them appear whiter. Simply squeeze the lemon juice (straight – not diluted with water) onto the dentures and start cleaning.
Can I clean my dentures with bleach?
Although bleach is a renowned stain remover, we don’t recommend that you use it on your dentures. The best way to bleach your dentures is by using lemon juice or bringing them into the clinic for an ultrasonic clean.
Can I use a denture-cleaning tablet?
Some people prefer to soak their dentures in a solution of water and a dissolved denture-cleaning tablet such as Polident. We suggest you do this once or twice a week. However, you must brush your dentures first, using soap (as outlined above) to remove the microfilm. Then, the tablet can do its work!
Help – my dentures fell in the toilet!
If you’re wondering how to clean your dentures after they have fallen in the toilet, you’re not alone! Around 30 Australians a month report this problem. Once you’ve salvaged your teeth from the toilet bowl, you’ll need to destroy any germs, but this can be achieved by brushing with soap and warm water. You don’t need anything fancier than that. Soap can remove dirt or bacteria by clustering around any droplets in a circular wheel called a micelle. Do this as soon as possible and you should have nothing to worry about – providing you haven’t chipped or broken your denture in the process!
Have any questions about denture cleaning?
Morley Denture Professionals serve patients throughout the Perth metro area, especially those in Morley or the surrounding suburbs of Dianella, Bassendean, Bayswater, Embleton, Mount Lawley, Yokine, Inglewood, Beechboro and Maylands.