Oral hygiene is important for the health of your teeth, gums, and dentures. Dentures require some basic care in order to stay clean, but with a simple daily routine you’ll find that proper denture care only takes a few minutes extra per day.
Tips For Cleaning & Brushing Your Dentures
Rinse Your Dentures After Snacks, Meals, & Heavy Beverages
One of the biggest benefits of the removable denture is the ability to keep it nice and clean with some preventative maintenance. After eating food or drinking a “heavy drink” (such as a milkshake or caesar), remove your dentures and rinse them in the sink.
Bonus Tip: place a soft towel on the counter and underneath where you are holding your dentures. This will help prevent your dentures from breaking if you accidentally drop them.
Brush Your Dentures Every Day
This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s important that we bring it up from time to time! Just like natural teeth, the teeth on your dentures will build up plaque and tartar. Brushing them daily, ideally after they’ve been soaking overnight, goes a long way in keeping your dentures (and mouth) clean.
Brush Your Gums & Mouth With a Soft Toothbrush
Toothpaste, many household cleaners, and abrasive cloths/wipes can all damage your dentures. When cleaning your dentures, ensure that you are using a non-abrasive cleaner. Gentle hand and dish soaps can be used to clean your dentures, as can dedicated denture cleaners.
Bonus Tip: to soften your toothbrush up a bit before brushing, rinse the toothbrush under hot water for a minute or two to soften the bristles. Be mindful when brushing immediately after rinsing, as the brush may still be hot.
Soaking & Cleaning Solution Tips
Soak Your Dentures Overnight
Plaque, tartar, bacteria, and other microbes grow on dentures just as they do natural teeth. Soaking them overnight (either in a dedicated denture solution, warm water, or a water/vinegar solution) helps displace plaque, tartar, and microbes.
In addition to the benefits soaking provides for cleanliness, it also helps dentures maintain their shape.
Bonus Tip: if your dentures are metal, only use a warm water solution. Ensure the water is warm and not hot, as hot/boiling water may damage your dentures.
Use Non-Abrasive Solutions When Cleaning Your Dentures
Toothpaste, many household cleaners, and abrasive cloths/wipes can all damage your dentures. When cleaning your dentures, ensure that you are using a non-abrasive cleaner. Gentle hand and dish soaps can be used to clean your dentures, as can dedicated denture cleaners.
Avoid These as a Rule: Hard-bristle toothbrushes/scrub brushes, steel wool, strong/abrasive cleaning agents, whitening toothpaste, and any product that contains bleach