Dentures help people who have lost their natural teeth to eat freely, communicate correctly, and smile confidently. Thus, their goal is twofold: to restore function and to improve look. Daily cleaning and maintenance are essential for the longevity of dentures. While you may have heard many recommendations on how to clean dentures, one of the most difficult challenges is keeping germs away.
Here’s how bacteria accumulation on dentures can happen:
- Food becomes caught under the denture.
- Food is more likely to attach to the rough surface of dentures than to living oral tissues. Even small food deposits will stimulate bacterial growth over time.
- Hairline fissures or scratches on the denture’s surface can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria.
To avoid this accumulation, it is critical to understand how to properly clean removable dentures. Continue reading to find the best ways to keep your dentures bacteria-free and prevent tooth rot.
How To Clean Dentures
Dentures, like real teeth, require regular care to prevent mouth infections and other health issues. This section explains how to clean and maintain dentures daily, with various simple and practical techniques.
Brush Your Dentures
Brush your dentures every day with a soft-bristled denture brush and a moderate denture cleaning product or liquid soap. Brushing your dentures helps to remove food debris and sticky particles that adhere to dentures. Brush the entire surface, inside and out, paying specific attention to the rough side that touches your gums.
Rinse After Eating
Rinse and clean your dentures after every meal. Do this before food or debris can become attached to the dentures. After your meal, remove your dentures in the restroom and properly rinse them with cool, running water.
Overnight Soaking
Dentures must remain wet to retain their shape and durability. To accomplish this, remove your dentures before going to bed. To clean dentures, soak them overnight in cool water or a gentle cleaning solution designed for this purpose. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a product on your dentures. Certain cleaning solutions are not suitable for use with metal partial dentures. When you soak dentures overnight, be careful to remove the denture adhesive.
Thoroughly Rinse Your Mouth
Taking care of your mouth is equally essential. Brush your gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush to increase blood flow. Brush your tongue to break up the film and debris that cause bad breath. Before you put your dentures back in, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Rinsing your mouth aggressively with water will help to remove any food particles from the tissue surfaces.
When Not in Use
When you are not wearing your dentures, keep them in a glass of clean water. Never leave dentures out in the open, as this can affect their fit and let bacteria grow. Alternatively, wrap dentures in a moist cloth and place them inside a resealable plastic bag. Remember to preserve your dentures in cold or lukewarm water. Hot water can deform and ruin dentures when used repeatedly.
What Happens When Dentures Are Not Cleaned?
Poorly cleaned dentures can lead to bacteria buildup, causing bad breath. Denture wearers frequently have poor breath due to food remaining in the mouth becoming rancid within hours.
If you want to see if your dentures are causing your bad breath, try placing them in a sealed plastic bag. After a few minutes, unzip the bag to observe whether a foul stench emerges. If so, your dentures are to blame.
Another consequence that bacteria proliferation can cause is oral tissue inflammation. When food particles that are difficult to remove are placed on dentures, bacteria begin to accumulate. These germs progressively cling to your gums, causing an infection or other disorders including stomatitis. Worse, numerous studies have found a relationship between poor oral hygiene, persistent inflammation, and systemic diseases like diabetes.
How Often Should I Clean My Dentures?
Dentists recommend that you clean your dentures at least once every day. However, it is much better if you brush your dentures more frequently. Do you want some advice on how to clean partial dentures? Always rinse your dentures in the morning after waking up and before going to bed at night.
While sleeping, soak your dentures in a denture-soaking solution or a mix of water and mild liquid detergent, removing any adhesives beforehand. When wearing partial dentures, remember to brush and floss your natural teeth daily. Failure to do so will cause the teeth that support your partial to eventually fail, rendering it worthless. You can also contact Benton Dental Clinic to book a service for Partial Dentures Kitchener.
Denture Cleaning Dos and Don’ts
Dentures can significantly improve your quality of life if your natural teeth are damaged or painful. Consider the following crucial dos and don’ts for the best care and maintenance of your dentures:
Do:
Get a Toothbrush Designed for Dentures
To thoroughly clean dentures, it is recommended that you use a brush created exclusively for them. Denture toothbrushes are accessible at most drugstores and supermarkets. If you are having problems finding one, your dentist can help you purchase the denture care materials you need.
Clean Your Mouth After Dentures Removal
Many people mistakenly feel that they do not need to clean their mouths after receiving dentures. To keep bacteria at bay, you should still clean your gums, the insides of your cheeks, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. Clean all tissue surfaces in your mouth with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a damp washcloth.
Seek Help When Dentures Become Ill-Fitting
If your dentures have gotten loose or do not fit properly, see a dentist right once. Because your jawbone and gum tissue change naturally over time, your dentures may fit differently during your life. Ignoring ill-fitting denture material can cause ulcers and make you more prone to mouth infections.
Don’t:
Don’t Wear Your Dentures While Sleeping
Never keep your dentures in your mouth while sleeping, unless your dentist has specifically instructed you to do so. The only exception to this guideline is the initial few days after receiving dentures for the first time. Once your mouth has grown accustomed to your dentures, always take them out before going to bed.
Don’t Clean Your Mouth With Denture Cleansers
Before washing your dentures or partials, remove them from your mouth. Denture cleaners should not be used on oral tissue since they can hurt and irritate the live surfaces inside your mouth. Furthermore, it is physically impossible to fully clean and rinse dentures while wearing them.
Don’t Skip Your Regular Check-ups
Some people believe that after acquiring dentures, they no longer need to visit their dentist for regular check-ups. They’re wrong. Denture wearers should still visit their dentists regularly for oral cancer screenings and to keep their mouths healthy. Your dentist may also inspect your dentures for signs of damage or faults and may provide a professional denture cleaning while you are there.
Regular cleaning and care can extend the life of your dentures, giving you the confidence of a healthier smile while also preventing oral concerns. If your dentures are cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, contact your dentist right once to have them repaired or replaced.
Keep Natural Teeth and Dentures in Excellent Shape
For suggestions on cleaning dentures, visit Denture Services in Kitchener today. We are pleased to assist you with all of your denture-related concerns. European Denture Center delivers inexpensive, high-quality dentures with free consultations to meet individual needs. Contact Benton Dental Clinic today to schedule an appointment with one of our caring denturists!
