If you’ve lost some or all of your teeth, dentures enable you to eat and speak just like you did in the old days. But to keep everything natural, your dentures must be comfortable and in good condition. This article will explore how to clean your dentures so you can stay in good oral hygiene, and your dentures, whether full, partial, temporary, or flexible, last for years to come.
Why cleaning your dentures is necessary?
Every time you enjoy a snack or a can of beer, food particles stuck on your teeth and dentures. The debris lingering in the floor of your mouth accumulates under a lower denture. Similarly, when you chew and swallow, the food particles get stuck between the upper denture and your palate. If this keeps happening and the food remains are not removed occasionally, they can lead to various oral issues. Bad breath and inflammation of oral tissues are two main problems that dentures wearers often face. If not treated in the early stages, these conditions can turn into mouth sores or periodontal disease. That is why it’s essential to learn how to clean dentures properly.
How to take care of dentures
Regularly removing your dentures will enable you to keep them clean and maintain good oral health. Brushing the dentures and soaking them in a cleaning solution are the two best ways to keep your appliances clean. Dentures are delicate, so it’s important to handle them with care. When removing them, stand over a sink filled with water or lay a towel in front of you to prevent the dentures from breaking or bending if they accidentally slip.
Brushing your dentures
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should brush your denture at least once a day using a brush with soft bristles. Remember to avoid abrasive items such as whitening toothpastes or cleaning products that contain bleach. The toothpaste you use might also contain some ingredients that can scratch or damage your dentures, so you need to look into that as well. Cleaning your dentures with a soft-bristled brush will help you eliminate any stuck food particles and bacteria. After you’re done with brushing, rinse the denture with luke-warm water, so they feel fresh and hygienic when you wear them again.
Soaking your dentures
Like brushing, soaking your dentures in a deep-cleaning solution is equally important to get rid of the food debris and kill the bacteria that cause bad odor. To form a solution:
- Drop one effervescent tablet into a glass of warm water (don’t use hot water as it can warp the denture).
- Keep the denture soaked in the solution for 4-5 minutes.
- Brush the denture to eliminate any debris and rinse it afterward using cool water.
How do I store my denture?
When you’re not wearing your dental appliance, store it in a glass of water, so they don’t dry out and lose their shape. Always rinse and dry off the dentures before wearing them back.
If you wish to learn more about denture cleaning, get in touch with the professionals at Pasadena Oral Surgery. Give us a call at 281-299-0053.