According to the American College of Prosthodontists, it’s estimated that 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth! That said, this situation isn’t entirely hopeless; dentures are one of the most popular methods of replacing missing teeth, mainly due to their cost-effectiveness coupled with their realistic look and feel. Still, many patients have several questions about how to care for them upon receiving them—after all, they won’t last if they aren’t kept relatively clean! Here’s more from your dentist in Leesburg about how to properly care for your dentures.
Can I Brush My Dentures While I’m Wearing Them?
Even though dentures replace your natural teeth, cleaning them isn’t necessarily as straightforward as brushing real pearly whites. While you can brush your dentures while you’re wearing them, this isn’t always going to be the best way to clean them. However, if you’re going to clean them in this manner, it’s important that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and skip the toothpaste, as many commercial brands can actually damage your dentures.
But in reality, you should really just remove your dentures from your mouth if you need to give them a good and deep cleaning; not only is this more effective, but it also saves you time in the long run!
How to Properly Clean Your Dentures
Keeping your dentures clean won’t just make sure they’re working properly—it’ll ensure they aren’t unpleasant to wear! That said, here are some tips to help you keep them clean if you opt to remove them beforehand:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and specialized denture cleaning paste to clean them of food debris and plaque. You can rinse them off in advance.
- Clean your dentures over a basin half-filled with water, or leaning over a soft towel; this way, your dentures likely won’t break if you drop them.
- Brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth every morning and evening to ensure that your mouth is fresh for receiving your dentures.
- If your dentures accumulate a build-up of tartar, you can soak them in a mixture of vinegar water (one part vinegar to four parts water).
- Remove your dentures before you go to bed every night and keep them in a glass of water or denture solution to ensure their moistness.
Since a key part of taking care of your dentures is keeping them clean and hygienic inside of your mouth, you’ll want to ensure that you’re doing things the correct way! If you encounter difficulties cleaning your dentures or they’re becoming uncomfortable to wear, don’t hesitate to visit your dentist for assistance.
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Pham received her DMD from the Temple University School of Dentistry and is a proud member of several professional organizations including the renowned Academy of General Dentistry. Her practice is pleased to offer many services including tooth-restoration options like dentures. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, feel free to contact Dr. Pham through her practice’s website or over the phone: (703) 666-3867.