If you wear dentures, you know that keeping them clean is important. After all, when you smile, the world sees your full or partial dentures, and you want them to reflect you in the most positive light possible! Beautiful, clean dentures can boost your confidence and help you be yourself in any public setting or social scenario.
For tips to get your dentures sparkling clean, read on!
Always Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions
One of the best things you can do for the care and maintenance of your new dentures is follow your dentist’s instructions. If anything is unclear, call your dentist and ask. Before you leave the dental practice, you need to have a good idea of what it takes to care for your dentures, and you need to have instructions in writing. Contact your dentist immediately if you did not receive written material on the proper care of your dentures.
Tip #1: Use Plain Old Baking Soda
Baking soda has so many possible uses, from deodorizing your refrigerator to freshening your carpets. This inexpensive, time-tested household product is also great for cleaning dentures! Simply take a toothbrush and place it under running water, then dab a little baking soda on your wet toothbrush. Gently brush your dentures with this baking soda paste, making sure to get into all the crevices. When you’re finished, rinse off your dentures with clean water.
In addition to being inexpensive and readily available, baking soda can eliminate odors that have formed on your dentures. Baking soda has natural whitening and deodorizing properties, making it a cleaner of choice for countless denture wearers.
Tip #2: Soak In A Salt-water Solution
Many people soak their dentures overnight to clean them. A simple cleaning method that can get your dentures sparkling clean is to soak them in a salt-water solution. In a glass large enough to hold your dentures, combine water with a tablespoon of regular table salt and stir the solution well. Gently place your dentures in the glass, making sure the solution covers them fully. Leave them in overnight.
In the morning, rinse them off, place them in your mouth, and you’re ready to go! The saltwater disinfects and deodorizes your dentures, getting rid of bacteria and keeping them fresh and clean.
Tip #3: Clean Your Dentures After Consuming Foods That Stain
Certain foods and liquids are notorious for staining teeth, both natural teeth and dental restorations, including dentures, implants, crowns, veneers, and more. Foods and beverages that may stain include coffee, tea, red wine, fresh berries, berry pies and desserts, beets, and certain vinegars, among other provisions.
We’re not saying you have to completely stay away from these foods, but we are recommending that you gently clean your dentures after consuming quantities of staining foods. Getting these food particles off right away will help you keep your dentures sparkling clean.
Tip #4: Use Formulated Cleaning Tablets
Several brands of effervescent cleaning tablets are available at your pharmacy, grocery store, or department store; these tablets are specifically formulated to remove bacteria, food particles, and other accumulations from dentures. They work very well to get these dental restorations clean via periodic deep cleanings. Simply follow the instructions on the package. If you have any questions about how to use denture cleaning tablets, give our dental office a call and we’ll walk you through it!
Tip #5: Always Use A Soft-bristle Toothbrush
Toothbrushes come in varying degrees of softness, including soft, medium, and hard. Always use soft toothbrushes when cleaning your dentures! Hard-bristle toothbrushes will not necessarily clean them any better, and they may even harm the finish. Stick with soft toothbrushes (this applies to your natural teeth as well).
For All Your Cosmetic Dentistry Needs In Salisbury
Whether you’re considering getting full or partial dentures, you’re a new denture wearer and you have questions or concerns, you’re thinking about dental implants or veneers, or you’d like to have professional teeth whitening done, reach out to the friendly staff at Merritt Mill Dental in Salisbury. We offer cosmetic dentistry and general dental care treatments in a comfortable atmosphere, always looking out for our patients’ well-being.
Whether your dentures were provided by us or by another dentist, we are happy to work with you to maximize your denture-wearing comfort. Feel free to reach out to Merritt Mill Dental today!
