Tips for keeping dentures cleaner & fresher

As with your natural teeth, dentures (also known as false teeth) are prone to accumulating plaque, tartar and stains. To keep your dentures looking and feeling cleaner and fresher, a good daily cleaning routine is recommended. While using denture cleanser tablets helps provide a deep clean, brushing helps remove plaque and other debris; and both strategies help to ensure your mouth and dentures remain healthy in the long run.

3 steps to cleaner, fresher dentures

Just like brushing your natural teeth, the process of caring for your dentures is pretty straightforward. Here are our three simple, daily steps for cleaning dentures to help maintain a healthy smile:

 

Step 1: Soak using cleansing tablets

Here’s how to use denture cleanser tablets: simply drop one tablet into warm water (not hot, as this may cause damage to your dentures) and soak the dentures for the amount of time specified on the product packaging. There should be enough water to completely cover the denture.

Brushing your dentures helps remove plaque, however soaking them in solution helps remove other debris that the bristles cannot reach. You may want to use a specialist, antibacterial denture cleanser in your regular cleaning routine to be sure that the odour-causing bacteria is eliminated.

 

Step 2: Brush with a cleanser of your choice

Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a denture cleansing formula, gently brush your dentures to clean off any remaining debris. Specialist denture brushes are available which are suitable to use on dentures daily. Try to avoid using regular toothpaste, as its abrasive effects could cause tiny scratches on the denture surface, which could then cause bacteria to build up.

Brushing all surfaces of your dentures with a specialist paste, a good cream cleanser, or with the remaining cleaning fluid will leave you feeling confident you’re doing all you can when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene and taking great care of your dentures.

 

Step 3: Rinse off the denture cleaner with water

Once soaked and brushed, rinse your dentures thoroughly under running water.

Knowing exactly how to clean your dentures and having a daily cleaning routine should help ensure your full and partial dentures are kept as clean as possible, leaving you with every confidence to live life loud.

 

Types of denture cleaner, explained

Just like your natural teeth, dentures need to be cleaned every day to remove food particles and bacteria. However, unlike your natural teeth, cleaning your dentures with regular toothpaste can cause scratches. Find out more about some of the most popular kinds of denture cleaning solutions, below, so you can decide which option is best for you.

 

Denture cleanser tablets

• Used by dropping a tablet into warm water, and then soaking (and possibly also brushing) dentures.
• Gives dentures a thorough cleaning and is gentle enough to use every day. 

 

Denture creams, pastes and gels

• Used by removing dentures and brushing with denture cream, paste or gel, and then rinsing with water.

 

When cleaning your dentures, it’s important to remember to always use a specialty denture cleaning solution, which will be less abrasive than regular toothpaste. Denture cleaners do more than simply rinsing with water or using mouthwash does. It’s essential to clean your dentures daily with a specialised denture cleaner to kill odour-causing bacteria and keep your mouth feeling fresh. So, find the best way to clean dentures for you and enjoy the things you love without your dentures getting in the way.

 

More tips for keeping dentures clean & fresh

Besides finding the right denture cleaner for you and maintaining a daily cleaning routine, here are some other tips for keeping your dentures in great shape:ⁱ

• Remove and rinse off your dentures after eating. Run some water over your dentures after eating a meal or snack to remove any food debris and other loose particles. You may want to place a towel on the counter or in the sink or fill the sink with water so your dentures won't break if you drop them.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups. Your dentist will recommend how often to visit to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned. These check-ups are a great opportunity to ask your dentist for help or advice, for example on how to clean any stubborn stains on your dentures (this may be more of a concern if you’re a smoker, or if you regularly consume foods or drinks with staining properties, like coffee or red wine).
• Avoid bleach-containing products. Don't use any bleaching products, as these can weaken dentures and change their colour. Don't soak dentures with metal attachments in solutions that contain chlorine because it can tarnish and corrode the metal.