Dentures are an excellent choice for people looking to revitalise their smiles. To maintain your new smile, though, you also need to prioritize denture care and cleaning.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about these important processes.

Why Is Cleaning Your Dentures Important?

Some people assume that, because dentures are artificial, regular cleaning isn’t important. After all, you can’t get cavities in dentures.

While the point about cavities may be true, there are still lots of reasons to stick to a consistent care and cleaning routine, including the following:

• Plaque can still buildup on dentures, just like it can on your natural teeth

• Plaque can spread to your gums and remaining natural teeth, which increases your risk of gum disease or tooth decay

• Untreated gum disease and tooth decay can cause severe health issues, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes

Whether your teeth are natural or artificial, good oral health matters — and good oral health starts with proper cleaning.

The Best Way to Clean Your Dentures

The good news is that it’s not hard to keep your dentures clean. Follow these tips and you’ll have no trouble maintaining them:

Gather Your Supplies

To properly clean your dentures, you just need a few pieces of equipment:

• A soft-bristled toothbrush

• Mild hand soap or denture cleaning solution

• A soft, folded towel

• Denture soaking solution (optional)

• Fluoride toothpaste

Brush

Place the towel on the bathroom counter. This gives your dentures a soft place to land if you accidentally drop them.

Once you’ve gathered your supplies and prepared your surface, do the following:

• Remove your dentures

• Rinse them with warm water

• Using mild handsoap or denture cleaning solution and your toothbrush, gently brush all surfaces of your dentures

• Rinse with warm water

• Replace your dentures in your mouth, or soak them

Soak Overnight

After brushing your teeth at night, leave them in a glass filled with warm water or a denture-soaking solution overnight.

This prevents your dentures from drying out overnight. If they dry out, they may become brittle or lose their shape.

Remember, removing your dentures while you sleep prevents overnight bacterial growth and gum inflammation. It also reduces your risk of bone loss.

Dentures place pressure on the bones below your gums. If you experience bone loss as a result, your dentures may become loose.

Care for Your Gums, Tongue, and Remaining Teeth

You shouldn’t use toothpaste on your dentures. However, you should use it on your gums and tongue to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

If you have remaining teeth, use toothpaste when brushing them, then finish with floss.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dentures?

At a minimum, you should clean your dentures once per day. Twice — morning and evening — is even better, though.

Brush your dentures in the morning and evening, and soak them in a cleaning solution every night.

Dentists recommend that you clean your dentures at least once daily. It’s even better to brush your dentures twice a day.

Be sure to brush your gums and tongue — as well as any remaining teeth — using toothpaste twice per day. Floss your remaining teeth at least once per day as well.

Denture Maintenance Dos and Don’ts

Beyond a consistent cleaning routine, you can take additional steps to maintain your dentures and improve your oral health.

Here are some of the most important dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

Dos

• Do remove your dentures and rinse them with warm water after eating

• Do remove dentures while leaning over a towel or sink filled with warm water to avoid breaking them

• Do soak dentures in warm or cool water, rather than hot (hot water can change their shape)

• Do remove denture adhesive (if you use it) each night with a soft toothbrush, mild soap, and water

• Do drink lots of water to stay hydrated and rinse leftover food particles from your mouth

• Do see a dentist twice a year for regular checkups

• Do consult a denture prosthetist if you have questions or concerns

Don’ts

• Don’t use toothpaste or teeth whitening products on your dentures

• Don’t sleep in your dentures

• Don’t try to fix broken dentures yourself

• Don’t smoke (smoking dries out your mouth and increases your risk of gum disease)

• Don’t drink alcohol excessively (alcohol also dries out your mouth)

• Don’t eat a lot of high-sugar foods (sugar contributes to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease)

When Should You See a Denture Prosthetist?

With proper care and regular cleaning, your dentures will last a long time.

If you have questions or concerns about your dentures — including questions about cleaning, changes in fit, or sudden discomfort — reach out to a denture prosthetist right away.

Looking for a denture clinic in Brisbane? Contact us at Denture Haus today to schedule an appointment.