Has your dentist in Costa Rica told you that you need to have dentures? You’ll need to know how to clean dentures or else they’ll get covered in stains and you won’t like the smile that results from it.
Dirty dentures are also horrible for the health of your mouth. If you don’t take care of them properly they’ll build up bacteria. There is also a particular way to store them or you’ll break them.
It’s a lot of work! Your dentist will give you a few care instructions but we’re going to go into a little bit more detail than the manual. Keep reading for a complete guide on how to clean your dentures.
1. Remove and Rinse Dentures After You Eat
After you eat your dentures will be covered in leftover debris from your meal. All you have to do to get rid of it is go to the bathroom and rinse them off.
You’ll want to put a few safety precautions in place. Put a towel in the sink so if you drop the dentures they won’t break. If you don’t have a towel to put down then you can fill up the sink and place them inside.
This may sound too cautious but dentures are pretty fragile and in most cases, really expensive to replace.
2. Clean Your Mouth After You Take Your Dentures Out
After you’ve removed your dentures you’ll want to give your mouth a good scrubbing before you put them back in. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and tongue.
If you use denture adhesives of any kind you’ll want to be sure that you get all of it off your gums.
3. Brush Your Dentures Twice a Day
Dentures gather up as much plaque as your normal teeth did. That being said, you’ll want to brush them twice a day to get them clean. You can use a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive cleaner for this purpose.
Keep in mind that while this cleaner is fine for the dentures, it isn’t good for you if you swallow it. Don’t put the cleaner in your mouth. Take your dentures out to use it.
You’ll want to pay special attention to the grooves that press against your gums if you use a denture adhesive of any kind.
4. Soak Your Dentures Overnight
In order for your dentures to keep their shape, they’ll need to be moist. This means that you should soak them overnight. You can use water or denture-soaking solution for this purpose.
If you’re not sure which denture solution would be the best one to suit your needs or how to store your dentures overnight, talk to your dentist. They’ll be able to give you a basic rundown of your options.
5. Rinse Your Dentures Before You Put Them Back in
Before you put your dentures back in your mouth make sure that you rinse them as thoroughly as possible. If any leftover cleaner manages to make it into your body it will spell trouble.
You could experience stomach pain, vomiting, and burning. It’s not a pleasant situation for anyone to go through.
6. Don’t Forget Dental Checkups
You’ll want to schedule normal dentist visits in order to make the process of wearing dentures as seamless as possible. Your dentist will suggest appointment times for you to come in and have your dentures cleaned professionally.
They can also check the inside of your mouth while they’re at it to make sure everything looks good and healthy.
7. See Your Dentist for Loose Dentures
If your dentures start to feel loose, you’ll want to visit your dentist sooner than your scheduled appointment time. Loose dentures can lead to a variety of problems such as sores, infection, and irritation.
8. Things to Avoid Doing
Now that you have a pretty good idea about the things that you should be doing, we’re going to tell you what you should avoid. You want to stay away from abrasive cleaning products, whitening toothpaste, products containing bleach, and hot water.
Abrasive Cleaning Products
Abrasive cleaning products and stiff-bristled brushes spell disaster for your dentures in that they are too strong. If you use them you’ll scratch your dentures up and render them unusable.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste won’t destroy your dentures per se. They just don’t work at all.
You see whitening toothpaste contains peroxide. It works wonders on normal teeth but it won’t change the color of your dentures. You’ll have to use other methods if you want to brighten things up.
Products Containing Bleach
Products that contain bleach will change the color of your dentures but it’s not for the better and it can weaken them. You’ll also want to avoid soaking your dentures in solutions that contain chlorine if they have metal attachments of any kind. As you are probably aware, chlorine corrodes metal.
Hot Water
You can soak your dentures in water overnight but this water should be neither hot nor boiling. Hot water can cause your dentures to warp.
Your Guide on How to Clean Dentures
If your dentist in Costa Rica has told you that you need dentures, you’ll need to know how to clean them. If you use improper methods you could stain or even break your dentures and they aren’t cheap to replace. Use this guide on how to clean dentures to avoid that unnecessary expense.
Do you need to set up an appointment regarding your dentures? Contact us to set one up. We can’t wait to see you!
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