If you wear dentures, you already know how important they are to your smile, your confidence, and your ability to enjoy meals. But just like natural teeth, dentures need daily care to stay clean, fresh, and in good shape. At ASAP Dental Care, we’re proud to provide durable, high-quality dentures in Jacksonville. We’re also committed to helping your dentureslast as long as possible with ongoing support. Whether you have a full set of false teeth or you wear partial dentures, following the right care routine can help your dentures last longer and protect your oral health. This guide will walk you through every step of how to clean dentures the right way, what not to do, and how to keep your dentures looking and feeling great.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Complete dentures are held in place by suction, so they need to be lightweight. For this reason, acrylic resin is a very common option that’s reasonably durable and very light. Some dentures may have porcelain teeth or metal supports. Implant supported dentures and fixed full mouth dental implants typically use heavier materials that are far more durable, long-lasting, and lifelike in appearance. We offer comprehensive tooth replacement optionsincluding dental implants and full and partial dentures in Jacksonville!Knowing the materials your specific dentures are made from is important because using the wrong products or techniques can damage your dentures. For example, traditional toothpaste is too abrasive for some denture surfaces, and hot water can warp their shape. Now that you understand why it’s important to practice good denture care, let’s take a look at what that means!How to Clean Dentures, Step by Step
Daily cleaningis essential to prevent stains, bad breath, plaque buildup, and even infections. Here’s how to clean your dentures properly each day.1. Rinse After Every Meal
After eating, take out your dentures and rinse them under cool or lukewarm water. This helps remove leftover food and reduces the chance of staining or odor.Tip: If you’re not at home, swishing water after a meal or snack can help until you can rinse your dentures properly.2. Brush Your Dentures Daily
Brushing your dentures thoroughly is essential to keeping them fresh, preventing odor, and avoiding painful oral health problems from bacterial buildup. Be sure to follow these instructions for how to clean dentures daily:- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or denture-specific brush to clean all surfaces of your dentures.
- Use a mild soap or non-abrasive denture cleaner.
- Avoid regular toothpaste and baking soda, which can damage the surface of the acrylic and make your dentures more porous, less shiny, and less stain-resistant.
- Never use powdered household cleaners or any products that contain bleach.
- Be sure to brush gently but thoroughly, focusing on areas where food particles can get trapped, such as the creases between the teeth and along the gumline.
3. Cleanse Your Gums and Tongue Every Day
After you remove your dentures before bed and before you put them back in in the morning, be sure to clean your gums, tongue, the roof of your mouth, and any remaining natural teeth. You can use a soft or ultra-soft toothbrush or a damp washcloth to massage the soft tissues of your mouth and wipe them clean.This helps to stimulate circulation, prevent bacterial build-up and ulcers, and keep your mouth clean and breath fresh.4. Soak Your Dentures Overnight
Cleaning dentures doesn’t end with brushing! Each night, soak your dentures in water or a denture cleanser like Polident or Efferdent. This helps loosen plaque and bacteria and gives your gums a chance to rest.Make sure to use only cold or lukewarm water, and never hot! High temperatures can cause the material to warp, which will affect the fit of your dentures.5. Rinse Your Dentures Before Replacing
In the morning, take your dentures out of the solution and rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth. Cleaning solutions are not meant to be swallowed and can cause irritation if not rinsed properly.How to Clean Partial Dentures
Partial dentures need just as much care as full dentures. Follow the same steps above but take extra care to clean around the metal clasps or attachments. If food or plaque builds up around the clasps, it can lead to cavities in your natural teeth.Talk to us if your partial denture feels loose or uncomfortable, or if you notice it shifting while you chew. A poor fit can lead to sore spots and even damage your remaining teeth.How to Get Stains Out of Dentures
Stains can build up over time, especially if you drink coffee, tea, red wine, or use tobacco with acrylic resin dentures. Porcelain and ceramic are significantly more stain-resistant, but can potentially become stained as well. Here are a few ways to gently whiten your dentures:- Use a denture-soaking cleanserwith stain-removing power.
- Soak in a mix of half white distilled vinegar and half water overnight once or twice a week to gently break up tartar and stains.
- Bring your dentures to usfor deep cleaning regularly.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Dentures
To protect your investment and your oral health, avoid these common mistakes:- Don’t use toothpaste, bleach, or baking soda.
- Don’t soak in hot water.
- Don’t bend, file, or attempt to fix your dentures at home.
- Don’t sleep with your dentures in.
- Don’t skip your regular dental visits!
Denture Adhesive Tips
The ridge of bone that once supported your teeth will naturally shrink over time without support from tooth roots or dental implants. As your jawbone shrinks, the fit of your dentures will change and become loose, leading to the need for relines and adhesives to keep them in place. If you need denture relines or use adhesive, follow these best practices:- Use the smallest effective amount of adhesive. More isn’t better!
- Always clean and dry your dentures before applying adhesive.
- Remove old adhesive each night by soaking and gently brushing.
- Never apply adhesive to sore or irritated gums. Talk to us if you’re uncomfortable!
- Brush relines very gently.
- If you have a soft reline, be sure to ask your dentist what products to use to soak your dentures, as some denture products can damage a soft reline.
Do’s and Don’ts of Denture Care At a Glance
Now that you know how to care for dentures, let’s do a quick recap.DO:
- Rinse after meals
- Brush gently every day
- Soak overnight
- Always keep dentures moist
- Use proper cleansers
- Use an at-home denture repair kitfor temporary fixes
- Visit your dentist regularly
DON’T:
- Use toothpaste, baking soda, or bleach
- Sleep with your dentures in
- Skip daily cleaning
- Use too much adhesive
- Ignore discomfort or sores
- Try to fix your dentures with household glue