“I‘m not sure how to clean dentures” is a concern many of our patients face. Cleaning false teeth can seem intimidating for new denture wearers, but it’s easier than you may think. Follow the steps below and you’ll soon be a pro.
How to clean dentures: Daily care in 5 steps
While the thought of denture care worries some patients, as you will see, the steps to keep your false teeth and mouth clean are quite straightforward. Try and incorporate these tips into your daily oral health routine.
- Rinse your denture as soon as possible after eating or drinking. This will remove any food particles and keep your mouth feeling fresh.
- Don’t forget to clean your mouth when you have removed your oral appliance. It’s vital to maintain good oral hygiene when you wear false teeth. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean your natural teeth, gums and tongue and also use your toothbrush, or a soft sterile cloth such as gauze, to clean your mouth’s palate. This is an important step, even if you aren’t using dental adhesive.
- You need to be gentle when brushing your dentures, too. Don’t worry, your dentist will demonstrate how to clean dentures when you have them fitted. Soaking and gentle brushing with a non-abrasive cleaner are all that’s needed. Please do not use a denture-soaking solution inside your mouth; it is not suitable to be used on your gums or mouth.
- Soak your dentures overnight in a small glass or beaker in either cold water or a denture cleaning solution. This ensures false teeth don’t dry out and lose their shape.
- Always rinse your ‘falsies’ before putting them back in your mouth, even if you haven’t used any shop-bought products on them.
As you can see, cleaning false teeth is not complicated;
However, if you’re unsure at any time, it’s best to call your dental clinic.
How to Clean Dentures: What Not to Do
When it comes to understanding the best way to clean dentures…
Many people run into problems whilst having the best intentions.
Major factors to be aware of include:
- Never use hot or boiling water on your false teeth. We know it may be tempting to “sterilise” them, but it’s not necessary and may cause them to melt or warp. If you’re worried about using cold water alone, you can use a denture-soaking solution.
- Ensure that any products you use to clean or soak your dentures do not contain bleach as it may discolour and damage them. You should also avoid using any chlorine on metal parts of your dentures as this causes corrosion.
- Whitening products do not have the same effect on dentures as on natural teeth, so don’t be tempted to use a special toothpaste or product. If you feel your dentures are discolouring, speak to your dentist.
- Softly does it is the way to go when cleaning false teeth. Hard bristled tools and abrasive cleaners will cause damage so always err on the side of gentle when you brush your dentures.
- Don’t skip your dentist appointments! Regular check-ups are still just as crucial for denture wearers as for people with a complete set of natural teeth. Make sure you stick to the recommended schedule your dentist suggests.