If you wear dentures, you may be tempted to skip cleaning them now and then. It’s not like you’ll get a cavity, right? But just by virtue of being in your mouth, dentures and partials become coated with a film that’s similar to dental plaque. If you don’t remove that film every day, it will harden. Stains from coffee, tobacco, or food will set. This will dull your smile.
Worse, not cleaning dentures and bridges every day allows harmful bacteria to grow on them. Bad breath is the least of it! Your gums, tongue and mouth could become infected and sore. Not only will that make wearing your dentures uncomfortable—they might not fit well if your gums are inflamed. Over time, infection could thin bone and gum tissue, affecting not just denture fit but your general health, too.
Follow these steps to keep your dentures and partials clean.
Handle dentures over a soft surface
Dentures and bridges are delicate and can break easily. Remove them over a soft surface to cushion their fall in case you drop them. One suggestion: place a towel over the counter. Or, you could fill the bathroom sink with water.
Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking.
This will help reduce bacteria and prevent staining. Take particular care after coffee, tea, red wine, and foods such as berries and tomato sauce.
Brush dentures and bridges daily.
This helps remove plaque and help keep stains from setting. Start by rinsing them thoroughly under warm (not hot!) running water to dislodge food particles or any loose bits of adhesive. Caution: never place dentures in hot water—they could warp or lose their shape.
Use a brush with soft bristles, ideally one specifically intended for dentures.
Gently brush every surface inside and out. This includes the portions that fit over your gums and against the roof of your mouth. Scrub gently to avoid grooving them over time. Dentures are made of plastic and although the material is strong, it’s not as hard as tooth enamel.
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Select a denture-friendly cleanser.
Don’t reach for toothpaste! It’s too abrasive for dentures and will scratch them. And forget about using baking soda or powdered household cleansers, too. These scratches may be too tiny to see, but over time they will allow plaque and stains to build up in crevices you can’t reach. You might use hand soap or a mild liquid dish detergent, but better yet, shop for a cleaner made specifically for dentures. Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal and you’ll know dentists rate the product as safe and effective.
Clean your mouth in addition to your dentures.
The American Dental Association recommends that you also gently brush gums, cheeks, tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove plaque. You also don’t want to fit your dentures over food particles or flakes of dental adhesive from the day previous. It’s one more tip to preventing irritation and bad breath.
After brushing and rinsing, soak dentures overnight in a denture-cleaning solution.
This will help lift stains and kill bacteria brushing might not reach. It will also help to disinfect your dentures, leaving them feeling fresher. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and rinse dentures in warm water before replacing them in your mouth.
How to remove stubborn stains from your dentures
Never use bleach.
Dentures can’t be whitened the same way that natural teeth can. Bleach can weaken dentures and may also discolor the pink plastic parts.
Try an ultrasonic cleaner.
These devices suspend dentures in a pool of cleaner and create waves to remove deposits. Again, look for the ADA seal to ensure safety and effectiveness when purchasing. You still need to rinse and brush every day, however!
See your dentist regularly.
Professional cleaning and polishing will help remove set stains and hardened plaque that brushing and soaking won’t budge.
Partial dentures with metal requires special consideration.
Keep partial dentures as clean as possible so you don’t lose more teeth due to inflamed gums and infection. Rinse and brush as explained above, but soak them in warm water (not hot) instead of a denture cleaning solution. Denture soaking solutions contain chlorine and other chemicals that will tarnish or corrode the metal clasps on your partials.
Using peroxide to clean dentures
For an easy household remedy, you can soak dentures in hydrogen peroxide instead of buying a brand name product at the drugstore. Mix ½ cup of 3% peroxide with ½ cup water in a bowl and soak dentures for about 30 minutes. Alternately, you could use 1/3 cup vinegar to 2/3 cup water. Be careful to rinse your dentures well before replacing them in your mouth. Note: Don’t try this with partial dentures—peroxide and vinegar will tarnish or corrode the metal clasps.
Want to learn more about taking care of your dentures? Ask your dentist! They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about your oral health.
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