How to Clean and Whiten Dentures
Having clean dentures is important to help maintain proper oral hygiene. Clean dentures gives the wearer confidence that when they smile there will not be any embarrassing stains to worry about. Consulting with a dental professional for cleaning tips is the first thing to do once the denture wearer notices some stains starting to appear.
- Avoid drinking liquids that may cause stains on your dentures. Liquids such as coffee or tea are ones to avoid drinking on a regular basis when you are a denture wearer. Try to clean your dentures as soon as possible after you think a stain may develop.
- Begin cleaning your dentures by rinsing the plate under a faucet to remove any small particles of food. Use lukewarm water when you rinse your denture plate. You may want to fill the sink with water first, to absorb the impact in case you happen to accidentally drop the denture plate while you are cleaning it.
- Put some denture cleaning or whitening paste on your toothbrush. Use the toothbrush that your dental professional recommends and not one that you buy at a grocery store, unless the bristles are soft enough to use for cleaning a denture plate. Gently scrub the dentures with the toothbrush. Clean the dentures under the faucet after brushing to rinse away the cleaning or whitening paste.
- Let your dentures soak overnight while you are sleeping. Ask your dentist which product to use for overnight cleaning. Place the cleaning agent in a glass and put your denture plate into the liquid. Keep the glass in a safe place, such as next to your bathroom sink or on a night stand.
- Rinse the denture plate when you wake up to remove the cleaning product. Fill the sink with water before you rinse the denture plate. Inspect the dentures to make sure they look good before you wear them.