How To Clean Dentures? Can I Use Baking Soda To Clean Dentures?

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Is dental plaque building on your dentures, and you’re struggling to remove it? If you wear dentures, dental plaque build-up can cause gum irritation and discomfor

Just like your natural teeth, your dentures work the same. They need to be cleaned and looked after too. When dentures are fitted, the dentist will provide aftercare instructions to ensure that you’re aware of how to clean dentures. 

Are you in the queue for fitted dentures? Let’s learn about dentures as a whole, including how you need to clean dentures, so they’re usable for as long as possible.

Why Should I Clean Dentures?

Dental plaque build-up can cause gum inflammation and discomfort, which can lead to infection in the mouth if you wear dentures. One of the most common causes of plaque development near the gumline is dental plaque. If dental plaque isn’t eliminated, it will eventually build up and become caught in and around your teeth.

Plaque should not only be kept away from your teeth but also your dentures. 

How Should I Clean My Dentures?

Understanding how to clean dentures is important because the appliance needs to be handled with care. Therefore, here are five key steps that you’re recommended to follow to clean your dentures.

    • Rinse Them – Start by rinsing your dentures in lukewarm water. Because the denture material is rather brittle, make sure you’re rinsing with gentle water pressure.
    • Brush Them – Brush your dentures in the same way that you would your natural teeth. To do so, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a light soap. Nothing abrasive or harsh should be used on the dentures, as this can cause harm. When scrubbing your dentures, make sure to clean all of the surfaces, not just the artificial teeth. Plaques can be erected in any location. As a result, when cleaning your dentures, make sure to cover every surface. Brushing your dentures at least once a day is suggested.
    • Soak Them Overnight – When you take your dentures out during the night, make sure you store them in a clean container with a denture cleanser. This prevents the dentures from drying out over the night.
    • Denture Cleaning At The Dentist – After you’ve had your dentures fitted, it’s a good idea to have them professionally cleaned at least twice a year. To avoid plaque and tartar build-up, the dentist will do a routine check-up and cleaning of your natural teeth. Plaque from your natural teeth can also migrate to your dentures, so keeping any appliances and your mouth clean is critical.
  • Avoid Hard-Bristle Toothbrush-Use – Hard-bristled toothbrushes and abrasive kinds of toothpaste will naturally cause damage to your denture surface. Consider conventional options that you may use to naturally brush your teeth with.
  • Baking Soda – Baking soda has proven to be a good option to help keep your teeth clean and white. It is also an option for your dentures. Take a glass and mix two tablespoons of baking soda in a glass. Stir some water until the powder is dissolved. Place the dentures in the glass, so they soak overnight. Rinse them the next day before placing them back in the mouth.

Keeping your dentures clean is important so that it doesn’t attract harmful bacteria and dental plaque. Not only this, but ensuring that the surface doesn’t break either would require a replacement. Follow these tips to keep your dentures in check.

t, leading to infection in the mouth. Dental plaque is one of the leading causes of plaque buildup around the gumline. If the dental plaque isn’t removed, this can become stuck in and around your teeth. 

Dental plaque does not only need to be away from your teeth but also your dentures. Therefore, it is important to understand how to remove plaque from dentures effectively so that your mouth and dentures remain healthy.

How Does Plaque Impact Dentures?

If you don’t follow a strong oral routine, then you’re increasing the risk of dental plaque accumulating. If you wear dentures, dental plaque can cause the following issues:

  • Infection on your gums, tongue and general mouth surface
  • Discolouration and staining of your dentures
  • Gum inflammation and irritation
  • Damaged dentures because of bacteria build-up inside the mouth
  • Tooth decay 

How Do I Remove Plaque From Dentures?

As a pre-requisite, dental plaque cannot be removed when dentures are worn in the mouth. Therefore, you need to remove the dentures from your mouth first to begin the cleaning process. 

Another pre-requisite is to ensure that you brush your teeth and clean your mouth to remove any bacterial deposits that coat your smile. 

When the dentures have been removed from the mouth, follow these steps to remove plaque:

  • Rinse Them – The first thing to do is to rinse your dentures in lukewarm water. With the denture material being quite brittle, ensure that you’re rinsing with soft pressure from the water.
  • Brush The Dentures – Brush your dentures as you would with your natural teeth. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a mild soap to do so. Do not use anything abrasive or hard, as this can damage the dentures. When brushing the dentures, ensure that all surfaces of the denture are cleaned, not just the prosthetic teeth. Plaque can build anywhere. Therefore, cover every area when you’re cleaning your dentures. It is recommended that you brush your dentures every day.
  • Soak Them Overnight -When the dentures are removed for the night, make sure that you store them away in a clean container that’s full of denture cleanser. This will prevent the dentures from drying out at night.
  • Regular Cleaning At The Dentist – When you’ve fitted dentures, it is good to visit the dentist at least twice a year to get them professionally cleaned. The dentist will perform a routine check-up and clean your natural teeth as well to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Plaque can move to your dentures from your natural teeth as well, and hence, keeping any appliances and your mouth clean is essential.

If you need to get your dentures checked, it is good to get them checked by the dentist. It is equally important that you keep in touch with your dentist if you’ve any questions about your dentures.

If you’ve any questions, then consult your local dentist today!

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