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Your dentures are an investment in not just your ability to eat and speak properly, but also in your beautiful smile. That’s why if you wear them, you’ll likely want to keep them looking as clean and white as you can for as long as possible. Unfortunately, however, much like natural teeth, your prosthetics aren’t immune to stains and discoloration, especially if you eat or drink dark colored foods or smoke cigarettes. If you’re concerned about keeping yours in like-new condition despite your diet, here are a few cleaning ideas to keep them looking their best!
Daily Cleaning Tips
The easiest way to ensure that your dentures don’t become stained or discolored is by regular cleaning. While this can be done by brushing them in your mouth in between meals as needed, you’ll want to remove them for a more comprehensive cleaning twice a day. Here are some general guidelines:
- First, be sure to line your sink and countertop with a towel just in case you drop them while you’re cleaning them.
- Rinse the prosthetics well and wash them with a mild hand soap or dish detergent.
- Gently scrub their entire surface with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss between each tooth.
- Rinse well.
- If you’re done wearing them for the day, leave them fully submerged in a glass of water or denture soak. Be sure to rinse them well before putting them back in your mouth the next morning.
Additional Care Steps
In addition to regularly brushing and flossing your dentures, be sure you are still visiting your dentist every six months to ensure that your prosthetics (and your oral health) are in good shape. If your dentist needs to make any repairs, they can be arranged at this time.
What You Should NEVER Use to Whiten Your Dentures
Now that you understand how to keep your dentures clean, here are a few ways you should never attempt to do this:
- Never use anything that contains chlorine or household bleach.
- Do not use household cleaners such as glass cleaners.
- Avoid whitening toothpastes (though these won’t harm your dentures, their active ingredient, peroxide will not work on them).
- Don’t use hard-bristled brushes of any kind.
- Don’t attempt to clean or bleach them with lemon juice.
- Do not use baking soda paste.
- Never use metal polishing products on them.
Remember, the most important way to ensure that your dentures do not become stained or discolored is to keep them clean on a consistent basis. Remove them twice each day for a thorough brushing, rinse them well, and allow them to soak overnight every single night.
If you struggle with stubborn stains, talk to your dentist about arranging a deep cleaning, repair, or to order a replacement pair, and of course, never wear them while smoking or vaping.
About Our Practice
At Renaissance Dental, we are proud to help patients of all ages reveal their most beautiful smiles! Whether you need a cleaning and exam for your natural teeth, are looking for help with a dental emergency, or if you’d like to restore the function and appearance of your teeth with the help of dentures, we have a variety of treatment options available to assist you.
To learn more about whether you’re a good candidate for dentures, or to schedule a checkup for an existing pair, please visit our website or call us today at 817-289-5200.
