The Best Way to Clean and Care for Your Dentures in Guelph
Keep your smile healthy, and your dentures in tip-top shape for years to come

Dentures require just as much TLC as our natural teeth do (if not more!).

With that said, anyone with dentures should take the right steps to properly clean and store them overnight, as they contain high counts of bacteria which can put your mouth at risk for infection.

Let’s talk about what you can do to keep your dentures clean, while at the same time extending their lifespan and maintaining their shape for a comfortable fit:

1. Firstly, prepare a denture-friendly cleaning area
2. After removing your dentures, give them a warm water rinse
3. Disinfect your dentures
4. Gently, we repeat: gently – brush your dentures
5. Soak your dentures in water overnight, or, simply leave them out on a clean and dry surface

1. Firstly, prepare a denture-friendly cleaning area:

You’ll want to have the freedom to wash your dentures in Guelph gently with no risk of breaking or chipping them. Place a towel down on the counter or in the sink, or fill your sink with water so that your dentures are protected if you happen to drop them. The most minor of falls or mishandling can cause damage to your dentures, so always handle them with extra care.

2. After removing your dentures, give them a warm water rinse:

Rinsing your dentures will help to remove food particles and debris from its surface. If you use dental adhesive, be sure to remove every trace of it. Place them in ice water to harden the bits of adhesive to make them easier to remove, and pick them off.

3. Disinfect your dentures:

It’s time to rid your dentures of any potentially harmful bacteria. A simple and economic option for denture disinfecting would be to make your own solution of half water and half vinegar, letting them soak in the solution for a minimum of 30 minutes or ideally overnight. However, it is not advised to use vinegar if your dentures are partials. In this case, using a specific denture cleaning solution for a designated period of time is appropriate. Our Guelph dentist is always happy to recommend a product.

Alternatively, microwaving your (full/metal-free) dentures for three minutes once a week has actually been discovered by scientists to kill MRSA bacteria – making for a truly convenient and effective method of denture sanitization.

4. Gently, we repeat: gently – brush your dentures:

But be sure not to use commercial toothpaste, as this is typically too abrasive and can create micro scratches welcoming of plaque build-up. Instead, go with a more gentle solution such as warm water and antibacterial hand soap or dishwashing liquid. Or, you could make your own home-made, denture-friendly toothpaste using combination of baking soda and water. Contrary to what you may have heard, avoid using bleach — as this may whiten the pink part of your denture (and it will no longer appear natural).

As far as a denture brush goes, a soft-bristled brush designed for cleaning dentures is best – or a soft-bristled fingernail brush should work just fine, too. The bottom line is: the bristles should be soft in order to avoid unnecessary wear or damage – and your technique should be gentle, always being careful not to not to bend or alter any parts while cleaning.

5. Soak your dentures in water overnight, or, simply leave them out on a clean and dry surface:

Most dentures do require staying moist while they’re out of your mouth in order to keep their shape, so check with our dentist about how you can store your dentures overnight the proper way for your unique case.

We hope this has been helpful in teaching you how you can properly care for and clean your dentures at home! If you have any questions, or are due for a visit or denture re-fitting, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment.