Having a bright, healthy smile is important, and for many, dentures play a big part in achieving this. Dentures, also known as “false teeth,” are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth, helping you eat, speak, and smile with confidence. But just like natural teeth, dentures need proper care to stay clean, fresh, and last a long time.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning your dentures, ensuring they stay in tip-top shape.
Why Cleaning Your Dentures Is Important
You might think that because dentures aren’t real teeth, they don’t get dirty. But that’s not true! Dentures can collect food bits, plaque, and even bacteria, just like natural teeth. When this happens, it can lead to a few problems:
- Bad Breath: Bacteria can cause an unpleasant odour.
- Stains: Coffee, tea, red wine, and certain foods can stain your dentures, causing them to appear discoloured.
- Gum Problems: A build-up of plaque and bacteria on your dentures can irritate your gums, leading to soreness, redness, or even infections.
- Damage to Dentures: Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, which is difficult to remove and can make your dentures uncomfortable.
- Oral Health Issues: For those with partial dentures, poor cleaning can affect the remaining natural teeth. Even if you have full dentures, keeping your mouth clean and healthy is vital to prevent other oral health problems.
Proper cleaning not only keeps your dentures looking good but also protects your overall oral health.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Dentures
Cleaning your dentures might seem like a chore, but it’s a simple process once you get the hang of it. Here’s an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide:
- Get Ready: Before you start, lay a soft towel in your sink or fill the sink with a few inches of water. This acts as a cushion if you accidentally drop your dentures, preventing them from breaking.
- Rinse Your Dentures: First, hold your dentures under cool or lukewarm running water. This helps to rinse away any loose food particles. Make sure the water isn’t hot, as very hot water can warp the shape of your dentures.
- Brush Them Gently: Use a soft-bristled brush, ideally one specially designed for dentures. Regular toothbrushes can sometimes be too stiff and might scratch your dentures. Apply a denture-specific cleaning paste or a mild, non-abrasive soap. Gently brush all surfaces of your dentures, paying extra attention to the areas that touch your gums and any clasps if you have partial dentures. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can create tiny scratches where bacteria can hide.
- Clean Your Mouth: Even without natural teeth, it’s important to clean your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. Use a soft toothbrush or a clean, damp cloth to massage these areas gently. If you use denture adhesive, make sure to remove any leftover bits from your gums. This helps stimulate blood flow and keeps your mouth healthy and fresh.
- Soak Your Dentures: Most dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. After brushing, place your dentures in a denture-soaking solution or plain water overnight. There are many good quality denture cleaning tablets available at your local chemist that you can dissolve in water for an effective overnight soak. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging. Soaking helps to remove stubborn stains, kill bacteria, and keep your dentures fresh.
- Rinse Before Wearing: In the morning, before putting your dentures back in your mouth, give them a good rinse under running water. This washes away any remaining cleaning solution.
Tools You Need for Proper Denture Cleaning
To make denture cleaning easy and effective, here are the essential tools you’ll need:
- Denture Brush: This is usually a soft-bristled brush, often with two different head sizes, specifically designed to clean the unique shapes of dentures.
- Denture Cleaning Solution or Tablets: These are specially formulated to clean dentures without damaging them. They come in liquid form or as tablets that fizz when dropped in water.
- Mild Soap (Optional): If you don’t have a denture-specific cleaning paste, a mild, non-abrasive hand soap or dish soap can be used for brushing. However, always rinse thoroughly to avoid a soapy taste.
- Soft Towel or Basin of Water: For cushioning your dentures if you accidentally drop them during cleaning.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Dentures
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do:
- Hot Water: Never use hot or boiling water to clean or soak your dentures. Dentures are often made from materials that can warp or lose their shape when exposed to high heat, leading to a poor fit.
- Abrasive Toothpaste or Cleaners: Regular toothpastes, scouring powders, or harsh household cleaners are too abrasive for dentures. They can scratch the surface, creating tiny grooves that are perfect hiding spots for bacteria and stains.
- Bleach-Containing Products: While bleach is a powerful disinfectant, it can weaken denture materials and even change their colour (making the pink parts look white). Avoid using it, especially if your dentures have metal parts, as bleach can corrode metal.
- DIY Repairs: If your dentures are cracked, chipped, or don’t fit well, never try to fix them yourself with superglue or other household items. This can cause permanent damage and might even harm your mouth.
- Sleeping with Dentures In: Unless your dentist has specifically told you to, it’s generally best to remove your dentures overnight. This gives your gums and mouth tissues a chance to rest and helps prevent irritation and infections.
- Rough Handling: Dentures are delicate. Always handle them carefully, especially over a soft surface, to prevent accidental drops and breakages.
- Using Dentures as Tools: Don’t use your dentures to open packaging, bite on hard objects like ice, or perform tasks that could put excessive strain on them.
Common Mistakes in Denture Cleaning
Beyond the “what to avoid,” here are some common mistakes people make that can hinder proper denture care:
- Inconsistent Cleaning: Skipping daily cleaning allows plaque and bacteria to build up quickly. Think of it like brushing your natural teeth – it needs to be done regularly.
- Not Soaking Overnight: While brushing is essential, soaking helps to disinfect and keep dentures hydrated, preventing them from drying out and losing their shape.
- Ignoring Oral Hygiene: Even with full dentures, cleaning your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth is crucial for overall oral health and freshness.
- Neglecting the Fit: If your dentures become loose or uncomfortable, don’t ignore it. Ill-fitting dentures can cause sores and make it harder to eat and speak.
- Using Non-Denture Specific Products: Always opt for products specifically designed for dentures to ensure they are safe and effective.
Maintaining Freshness: How to Keep Dentures Odour-Free
A key part of long-lasting freshness for your dentures is preventing any unpleasant odours. This comes down to consistent and thorough cleaning:
- Daily Brushing: Regularly brushing away food debris and plaque prevents the build-up of bacteria that cause odours.
- Daily Soaking: Using a good quality denture cleaning solution during your overnight soak helps to kill odour-causing bacteria and keeps your dentures feeling fresh.
- Rinsing After Meals: A quick rinse after eating helps remove food particles before they have a chance to break down and create smells.
- Professional Cleaning: Sometimes, stubborn stains or tartar can build up, leading to odours. Regular professional cleaning by your dentist can remove these tough deposits.
When to Seek Professional Help for Denture Cleaning
While daily home care is vital, there are times when you’ll need a professional touch:
- Stubborn Stains or Tartar Buildup: If you notice a persistent build-up of stains or hard, crusty deposits (tartar) that you can’t remove with your daily cleaning, your dentist or dental prosthetist can professionally clean your dentures.
- Loose or Ill-Fitting Dentures: Over time, your mouth changes, and your dentures might not fit as snugly as they once did. Loose dentures can cause discomfort, sores, and make eating difficult. Your dental professional can adjust, reline, or even suggest a new set of dentures.
- Cracks, Chips, or Damage: Never try to fix damaged dentures yourself. Take them to your dentist or dental prosthetist for proper repair.
- Sore Spots, Irritation, or Infections: If you experience persistent sore spots, redness, or signs of infection in your mouth, it’s crucial to see your dentist. These could be caused by ill-fitting dentures or poor hygiene.
- Regular Check-ups: Even if you have full dentures, regular dental check-ups are essential. Your dentist, like dentist Lower Plenty, will check the health of your gums and oral tissues, examine the fit of your dentures, and look for any signs of oral health issues. They can also provide professional advice on your denture care routine.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dentures?
The general recommendation is to clean your dentures at least once a day, and ideally twice a day, similar to how you would brush natural teeth. It’s also a good idea to rinse them after every meal to remove loose food particles.
Daily brushing with a denture brush and cleanser, combined with an overnight soak in a denture cleaning solution or water, will ensure your dentures stay clean, fresh, and comfortable.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your dentures is a small effort that brings big rewards. By following these simple best practices for cleaning dentures, you can ensure they stay fresh, free from stains and odours, and last for many years. Regular cleaning not only maintains the appearance and function of your dentures but also protects your oral health, allowing you to enjoy your smile every day confidently.
Get Personalised Advice on How to Clean Dentures
Or if you have any concerns about your denture care, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with your trusted dentist at Majestic Smiles.
We can provide tailored guidance and professional cleaning to keep your dentures in excellent condition.
Dr Shaw is a dedicated dentist in Lower Plenty who values building meaningful relationships with his patients. With a background in dental implantology from Charles Sturt University, he emphasises lifelong oral health. Dr Shaw enjoys sharing his expertise through community volunteering and educational presentations, promoting strong, healthy smiles.
