Maintaining your mouth's health and dentures' lifespan with proper care is essential. It is always a good idea to evaluate your denture care routine and ensure you follow all of the crucial denture hygiene guidelines, regardless of how long you have been wearing and cleaning your dentures. 

Learn how to properly clean dentures by reading about the things you should use and avoid using while cleaning them.

How to Maintain Clean Dentures

1. Rinse Dentures After Each Meal

Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water and gently swish your dentures around in the water. This will help to loosen any food particles or plaque stuck on your dentures and prevent them from drying. By rinsing your dentures after each meal, you can help to keep them clean, fresh, and hygienic.

2. Clean Your Mouth After Removing Dentures

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your cheeks, tongue, and roof of your mouth, and your natural teeth. If you use denture adhesive, clean your gums of any leftover substance.

3. Brush Daily

Every day, take your dentures out and gently clean them. Soak them in water and use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a nonabrasive cleanser to remove food, plaque, and other deposits. Clean the grooves that fit against your gums if you use denture adhesive to remove any residual adhesive. Denture cleansers should not be used within the mouth.

4. Soak Dentures Overnight

Moisture is necessary for the majority of denture types to maintain their shape. Put the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution and soak them overnight. It is best to observe the cleaning and soaking solution instructions that the manufacturer provides.

5. Schedule Dental Checkups

How frequently you should get your dentures checked and cleaned by a professional will be recommended by your dentist. Your dentist can check the health of your mouth's interior and ensure your dentures fit well to prevent slippage and discomfort.

What To Avoid When Cleaning Dentures

• Bleach-Containing Products

Dentures shouldn't be bleached because doing so could weaken them and change their color. Chlorine-containing solutions shouldn't be used to soak dentures with metal attachments because doing so will cause the metal to rust and tarnish.

•  Abrasive Cleaning Products

Brushes with stiff bristles, powerful cleaners, and abrasive toothpaste are excessively rigorous and can destroy dentures. The shiny surface on your dentures or mouth guard might be scratched by toothpaste and toothbrush bristles that are overly abrasive. 

• Hot Water

Because of how hot the water gets in the dishwasher, you should leave your dental equipment out of there. Ruining the fit and having to pay for a new one is the last thing you want to do.

Use warm water instead. You'll achieve the same results if you use the right cleanser and adhere to our scrubbing guidelines.

Risks of Inappropriate Denture Cleaning

Inappropriate denture cleaning poses various risks to the wearer, ranging from physical discomfort and embarrassment to long-term damage. Without proper cleaning, a buildup of bacteria can occur on the dentures, resulting in plaque formation, foul odors, and other issues. 

If not addressed quickly, this can lead to an increased risk of gum disease and other oral health problems. Additionally, improper cleaning techniques can damage the surface of dentures, resulting in cracks, chips, or discoloration.

Conclusion

Following proper denture cleaning guidelines is essential to maintain your mouth's health and the longevity of your dentures. With these tips outlined in this article, you can keep your dentures looking and feeling their best.

If you're searching for dental services in Monroe to consult about your oral health and dentures, Taylor Made Smiles is the one for you! Whether you need a one-time consultation and fitting for dentures, a complete dental check-up and cleaning, or any restorative treatment, we have the skills and resources to meet your individual needs. Contact us now!