If you have been recently fitted for dentures, you may wonder how you go about cleaning them. While dentures look like real teeth, it is important to keep in mind that they require different care than your natural teeth.
For example, you should always brush your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste. But you shouldn’t brush your dentures with toothpaste to preserve them. Although the cleaning process is different, it is easy to create an efficient routine to clean and preserve your dentures.
Remove Your Dentures After Eating
After you finish eating, you should remove your dentures so that you can remove any build-up of food particles. You can rinse your dentures with water for a quick clean, but be careful not to use hot water because it can damage and warp your dentures.
Clean Your Mouth After Removing Your Dentures
Once your dentures are removed, you should focus on cleaning your mouth. While the dentures are out of your mouth, you should remove any remaining adhesive. Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush your gums. You should still use toothpaste and floss any remaining natural teeth.
Brush Your Dentures Thoroughly
Using a soft toothbrush gently brush your dentures with a non-abrasive cleaner. You can even use mild soap and water, especially if there is still adhesive remaining on your dentures. Be careful not to brush too hard or leave any scratches on your dentures as it will not only damage them, but it will create space for bacteria to grow.
Soak Your Dentures Overnight
It is vital that you keep your dentures moist throughout the night, so leave them in water or a special denture solution. Without moisture, dentures will lose their shape or become brittle. You shouldn’t sleep with your dentures in your mouth. It is better and safer to soak them overnight.
Rinse Dentures Before Putting Them in Your Mouth
Before putting your dentures back in your mouth, be sure to rinse them thoroughly. This is especially important if you soak your dentures in a solution. The chemicals that clean your dentures and keep them moist are not safe for your mouth and can leave painful burns or cause vomiting.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Cleaning your dentures daily is important, but if you want to make sure that your dental routine is top-tier, try cleaning your dentures every time you brush your teeth. Along with avoiding abrasives and using hot water, you should also avoid using any sort of whitening toothpaste or products that contain bleach. Dentures will not change color like your teeth. Bleach will only weaken your dentures and potentially corrode the metal pieces.
Much like your natural teeth, plaque can build on your dentures. So you can still be at risk for gum disease or other issues if you don’t have a proper oral care routine. You should also continue to see your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups. They can be sure that your dentures are working properly and fit in your mouth as they should.