How do I clean my dentures?
Why is it important to clean your dentures?
In your mouth, the cleanliness of your dentures plays just as big of a role as the cleanliness of your natural teeth. Denture care is important – and not just to prevent your dentures from breaking or warping. Just like the cleanliness of your natural teeth affects your oral health, the cleanliness of your dentures will do the same. Dentures are covered in bacteria from your mouth and the foods you eat. If dentures aren’t cleaned properly, they become incubators for bacteria that will degrade the condition of your dentures, and deteriorate your oral health. Lack of denture hygiene can result in bacterial and fungal infections, and gum diseases.
Your dentures should be cleaned every day.
To prevent bacteria from festering in your mouth, your dentures should be taken out every night and left to soak in a glass of water. For your gums, this is a break from being covered up by an unbreathable material, so they can get air and relax throughout the night. For your dentures, soaking in water prevents them from shrinking and warping – the “gums” of your dentures are made out of a type of acrylic, which is slightly water-absorbent. This means that when the acrylic dries out, it shrinks, which can lead to warping and cracking. While dentures should be cleaned at least once a day, it is ideal to clean them after each meal.It’s important to use the right tools to clean your dentures.
Traditional toothpastes that you would use on your natural teeth will be too abrasive for your denture teeth. Natural teeth have a strong enamel outer layer – enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. Denture teeth are made out of synthetic materials. This means that, while they are strong, they are not as resilient as your natural teeth. The ingredients in regular toothpaste include a gritty abrasive. This helps to scrub grime off of natural teeth, but can scratch dentures microscopically. However, there is a kind of toothpaste which is formulated specifically for dentures (usually available at convenience stores). It is used just like regular toothpaste, by gently scrubbing it on with a soft-bristled denture brush, and then rinsing. Be careful to hold your denture over your sink or a soft towel while cleaning – dentures are designed to withstand the pressures of your mouth, but it’s important to avoid the risk of dropping and breaking them.
Use a specialized soft-bristle denture brush to clean dentures
