Dentures are artificial replacements for missing teeth. They are a big investment, but a necessary one if you want to maintain a healthy smile and comfort while eating.
You will need to clean your dentures daily to keep them in good shape and prevent the build-up of dangerous bacteria in your mouth. Below, we’ve laid out the types of dentures available and the best ways to keep them clean.
Should I clean my dentures?
Dentures are just like teeth, which means you have to clean them at least once a day to keep them in good shape. Brushing your dentures daily removes plaque and stains that can occur no matter what you eat. This will help you maintain their natural appearance and increase their lifespan. So even if appearances don’t matter to you, cleaning dentures will save you money in the long run because they will last much longer.
Most importantly, cleaning your dentures will help you stay safe and healthy. Keeping dentures in too long or putting in unclean dentures will increase the number of bacteria in your mouth. Your gums and tissues are very sensitive and quick to pick up food particles and germs that can lead to infection. These infections can be hard to treat, especially if they end up affecting your lungs or stomach.
Denture biofilm
Denture wearers want to avoid the build-up of something called biofilm. This film adheres to your dentures and makes them harder to clean. The microorganisms that thrive on this biofilm can cause a variety of diseases.
In elderly individuals, bacteria from unclean dentures don’t just cause local infections (that are confined to the mouth). They can also cause systemic diseases such as respiratory problems, heart disease, and even aspiration pneumonia. Some of these can be difficult to treat or even deadly.
Types of dentures
Dentures are synthetic replacements for your natural teeth, and there are 5 main types of dentures you can get, depending on how many teeth need to be removed:
· Complete Dentures – These are probably what comes to mind first when you think of dentures. They act as a replacement for a full arch of teeth, meaning all of the upper teeth, all of the lower teeth, or even the full mouth. These are used after other options for tooth restoration have been explored and can be taken out throughout the day.
· Fixed Partial Dentures (FPD) – FPDs can replace a few missing teeth in a row. Your remaining teeth serve as anchors for this implant, which cannot be removed.
· Removable Partial Dentures (RPD) – These dentures also replace just a few missing teeth in a row, but unlike FPDs, RPDs can be removed at will and easily replaced.
· Implant-Retained Dentures – These dentures are also referred to as “overdentures” or snap-in dentures. They click into place securely with metal posts implanted into the tissue and can be removed at will. These dentures can replace just a few teeth or a whole arch. They are more securely attached in the mouth, which makes chewing and speaking easier and more natural.
· Immediate Dentures – These dentures are designed to be temporary. If you are getting all of your teeth replaced (or a full arch), your jaw needs time to recover after your tooth extractions. In the meantime, you will be given immediate dentures so you can chew food. These don’t look as natural and can be uncomfortable because they are not customized to your gums, but they usually only need to be used for 6-8 weeks.
The most popular types of denture cleaners
Regardless of whether your dentures are removable or not, they still need to be cleaned daily. Depending on the type of dentures you have and the convenience you seek, there are different types of denture cleaners you can use to prolong the life of your new teeth.
The most popular types of denture cleaners are:
· Dissolving denture cleaning tablets – This is the most common type of cleaner for removable dentures and it comes in the form of a tablet that you drop into a glass of water. As the tablet dissolves, the water fizzes. Both the chemicals in the tablet and the action of the fizzing bubbles help to remove plaque and other build-up from dentures. Depending on the brand, you may soak them anywhere from a few minutes to many hours.
· Overnight denture cleaners – This refers to any cleaner (such as the dissolving tablets) that instructs you to keep your removable dentures submerged in liquid while you sleep. During this time, dentures not only get clean but absorb the moisture they need to remain strong and comfortable.
· Denture wipes for on-the-go cleaning and moisturizing – Wipes are used when you’re on the go and need to wipe residue from your fixed or removable dentures or keep them from drying out. They’re quick and easy, and they don’t require water. People often use them when they’re out to a meal and can feel food trapped in their dentures that needs immediate attention. However, they are not meant to replace more thorough overnight soaking methods.
· Ultrasonic denture cleaners – These small machines are filled with water and use sound waves to agitate the liquid and create microscopic bubbles. These bubbles have a mild scrubbing effect and can get into tiny crevices to remove hard-to-reach build-up on dentures. However, it’s best to softly brush dentures first to get off larger pieces of residue.
· Denture powders for quick cleaning – Powders can be helpful when you’ve indulged in things that may stain your dentures, such as coffee or wine. These are added to the water inside specific ultrasonic dental cleaning machines. Most of the time plain water will be enough to remove bacteria and tough stains, so powders are essential for a deep clean.
· Denture cleansing paste & brushes – Just as you need to brush your natural teeth, dentures need to be brushed once or twice daily as well (or after meals). Even if you are using another cleansing method, using a soft brush and specialized paste is often the first step in a cleansing routine because it gets rid of larger chunks of food residue or adhesive.
How to Clean Your Dentures
No matter what method(s) you choose to clean your dentures, there are some things that everyone needs to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s crucial to follow the specific instructions listed on the package of the cleaner you’ve chosen. Do not assume that you know how to use something just because it looks like a product you’ve used in the past. There may be specific soaking times or cleaning methods that apply to that product only.
The best way to clean your dentures is:
1) Gently brush your dentures with a soft brush designed for oral prostheses. You will typically use a special paste (not regular toothpaste) to remove the outermost layer of food and bacteria.
2) If your dentures are removable, you will need to soak them daily in a special solution (either an ultrasonic cleaner or a glass of water with a dissolvable tablet). Follow the specific instructions on the package for the length of time you need to soak your dentures. This could be as little as 5-10 minutes or as long as overnight.
3) Clean your mouth and gums with a toothbrush and mouthwash each time you remove your dentures. You will need to be gentle on your gums but also make sure you are cleaning your natural teeth to maintain their health. You do not want to put dentures back into your mouth if it is not clean since debris and bacteria can grow in the small spaces between dentures and gums.
Here are some other things to keep in mind when trying to maintain your dentures:
– It is important to keep up with regular visits to your dentist so they can inspect your dentures and mouth.
– Remember to rinse dentures before putting them back in your mouth if you’ve been soaking them in a chemical solution.
– Always handle dentures with care. They are expensive and customized to your unique gum line, so bending them will result in discomfort.
– Any time dentures are uncomfortable, you should contact your dentist.
What to avoid when cleaning your dentures
Dentures cannot withstand the same cleansing our natural teeth can. You will need to avoid abrasive cleaners, hot water, and whitening or bleaching products if you have dentures. Bleaching products in particular can wear away at the metal on dentures and will not do anything to whiten false teeth.
You should also avoid stiff-bristled toothbrushes on your dentures. This can lead to wear and tear that forces you to replace them more frequently, which can be quite expensive. Soaking them is enough to remove build-up, so avoid manual scrubbing methods.
The top denture cleaners
Your dentist will have a good sense of what cleaners you should use for your specific type of dentures. But it’s likely that they’ll recommend some of the most popular denture cleansers on the market.
These are some of the most-used denture cleaners:
– Smile Again Denture Cleaner and Disinfectant – This denture cleaning kit is useful for removing calculus and calcium.
– Polident Partial Denture Cleaner Tablets – Useful for both full and partial dentures, this kit comes with a specialized case and soft brush.
– Polident 3-Minute Triple Mint Antibacterial Denture Cleanser Effervescent Tablets – If you want a kit for quick cleansing rather than overnight soaking, this is a good choice.
– Fresh ‘n Brite Denture Cleaning Paste – This minty cleansing paste is to be used twice daily and after meals on removable dentures.
There’s no alternative to proper hygiene when it comes to dentures. Luckily, there are plenty of products available to help you maintain clean dentures and good oral health.