How to Clean Plaque Off of Partial Dentures

Learning how to remove plaque from your partial dentures is one of the best things you can do for your new teeth, but with all the products on the market, it can be hard to select the right ones to help you get the job done. Without proper denture hygiene, your dentures might start to develop a film of plaque, which can eventually harden into tartar.¹ If you’re not sure where to start with denture maintenance, then the low-abrasive formulas in Polident have got you covered.

What Is Plaque?

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth. Plaque is formed when the bacteria in your mouth mingles with the sugars and starches from your food. Since plaque re-forms quickly, it requires daily removal with a good dental hygiene routine.²

Plaque can build-up on your dentures the same way that it can build up on your teeth, staining and discoloring your dentures or leaving them with a funky odor. If left untreated, plaque can harden into tartar, which will make your dentures feel uncomfortable and look dirty. If you find that you’ve developed tartar on your dentures, your dental team can remove it with an efficient cleaning machine.³

How Can I Prevent the Buildup of Plaque on My Dentures?

Plaque buildup is easy to treat and prevent with good oral hygiene and proper denture maintenance. Remember that even if you wear full dentures, good oral hygiene is still a necessity. If you’ve developed staining on your dentures, this can usually be removed with a regular cleaning. If the stains are a little stubborn, then your dental team can assist you in removing them.³

How to Care for Your Dentures

Rinse Your Dentures After Eating

Rinsing your dentures after you eat will help wash off some of the food and debris that could lead to plaque buildup. Dentures are fragile, so make sure to rinse them over a bowl of water or a folded towel to avoid dropping them.⁴

Clean Your Mouth After Removing Your Dentures

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your gums, cheeks, tongue, and the roof of your mouth to negate the risk of plaque buildup in your gums or bad breath.⁴

Brush Your Dentures

Aim to brush your dentures at least once a day. Brushing your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle denture cleanser will help remove food and other deposits, helping prevent any plaque buildup.⁴

Try using a gentle denture cleanser like Polident Dentu-Creme Cleanser. This low-abrasive formula won’t leave any scratches on your dentures and leaves fewer places for unwanted bacteria to grow. Brushing with Polident Dentu-Creme Cleanser is a great way to help remove plaque and give your dentures a fresh feeling thanks to its minty formula.

How to Use Polident Dentu-Creme Cleanser

Remove denture from mouth.
Wet denture with warm water.
Apply paste to a soft toothbrush.
Hold denture firmly and brush all surfaces of your denture thoroughly with Dentu·Creme on a toothbrush for at least 2 minutes.
Rinse denture thoroughly with water before inserting into mouth.
Wash hands well after use.*

*Keep carton for important information.

Soak Your Dentures at Night

Most dentures need to be placed in water or a cleansing solution overnight to keep their shape.⁴

For a cleansing solution that whitens as it cleans overnight, we recommend the Polident Overnight Whitening Denture Cleanser. This cleanser helps restore your dentures to their original color while effectively killing bacteria and helping to remove plaque and stains. In laboratory tests, our Overnight Whitening Denture Cleanser was shown to kill 99.99% of odor-causing bacteria and to kill more bacteria than toothpaste (only when soaking). This non-abrasive formula won’t scratch your dentures and reduces the number of spaces where unwanted bacteria could grow. Make sure to rinse your dentures thoroughly before placing them in your mouth after using a cleansing solution.

What to Avoid

Try to avoid using the following products on your dentures:⁴

Whitening toothpaste: whitening toothpaste often uses peroxide, which won’t be effective at whitening denture teeth.
Hot water: soak your dentures in warm water instead of hot water. Boiling or hot water could potentially warp your dentures on contact.
Products that contain bleach: bleach products can weaken your dentures and affect their color.
Chlorine products: metal dentures should not be left in cleansers that contain chlorine as they can corrode the metal.
Abrasive materials and cleaning products: products like stiff-bristled toothbrushes, harsh toothpaste, and strong cleansers can scratch and damage your dentures. Opt for gentle cleansers and brushes instead to ensure the health of your dentures.

Don’t Forget to Visit Your Dentist

Visit your dentist or dental hygienist every six to twelve months, or more frequently if needed, for regular cleanings. Your dentist can also help you if your dentures have become uncomfortable or irritating.^4,2