2 Denture Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid

If you have dentures, then you have likely spent several hundred or several thousand dollars on your artificial teeth. This means your dentures are an investment that must be cared for properly. Great care means making sure your dentures fit correctly, and it also means you need to clean your artificial teeth the right way. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes in regard to their cleaning regimen, leading to oral health concerns and broken dentures. You can avoid this by learning about the most common cleaning mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1 - Cleaning Your Dentures Once a Week

If you have dentures, then you may think you can place your artificial teeth on your nightstand in the evening instead of in a cleaning solution. When you do this, then plaque will build on your dentures the same way it can form on the natural teeth. Plaque allows the bacteria in your mouth to feed. When bacteria feed on plaque and sugars, then acids are released that can infect the gums.

Foreign bacteria that do not regularly live in the mouth can also cling to your dentures when you decide to leave your dentures exposed to the environment. These bacteria will then multiply and thrive when they enter your mouth. Bacteria like moist and warm environments, and this can cause infections and sores across the gum tissues.

Soak Your Dentures Daily

To reduce infection, plaque, and general bacteria concerns, make sure to soak your dentures every evening in a disinfecting fluid. You can use a denture soak product you purchase at your local pharmacy or you can make your own soak. If you want to make your own soak, then consider mixing a tablespoon of baking soda in about eight ounces of water. Place the fluid in a glass container and set your dentures in the glass or bowl. Make sure the dentures are fully covered and leave the artificial teeth to soak all evening.

Vinegar can also be used to make a denture cleaning solution. Vinegar can kill bacteria and other microorganisms clinging to your dentures. Vinegar is acidic though, so only place about two teaspoons of the fluid in an eight ounce glass of water to soak your dentures.  

Mistake #2 - Using a Regular Toothbrush to Brush Your Dentures

Dentures are made personally for you when you need false teeth, and dental professionals use porcelain or plastic materials to form the teeth. The base or prothesis part of the dentures is formed from plastic or acrylic. Plastic, acrylic, and even porcelain materials can all be scratched or scraped. These scrapes usually occur when the dentures are cleaned outside of the mouth. This occurs, because hard bristled toothbrushes and scrub brushes are commonly used to clean dentures.

Clean Dentures Gently

The best way to keep dentures from becoming damaged is to use either a dedicated denture brush or a soft bristled toothbrush to clean your dentures. You also should make sure to you use a gentle toothpaste to clean with. A paste with a low abrasiveness is best. Try to stay away from products that contain silica, alumina, and calcium phosphate. These abrasive agents can scratch your dentures. Products with baking soda, seaweed, salt, or other natural abrasive agents will not damage your dentures.

Once you find the right toothbrush and paste, remove your dentures from your mouth. Place a pea sized amount of the toothpaste on your toothbrush and use only slight pressure to clean your dentures. Make sure to clean across the backs of the false teeth and also scrub the prosthesis.

When you are finished cleaning your dentures, also make sure to brush the gums in your mouth. This is wise to remove the bacteria, food particles, and the plaque that sits underneath your dentures. Brushing will also massage the gums to make sure that blood flows strongly through the tissues.

If you have dentures, then you need to do everything in your power to make sure your false teeth are kept as clean as possible. You do not want to damage your artificial teeth when you clean them though. This means that you need to avoid the mistakes listed above and you must make sure you follow the correct cleaning information.