How to clean dentures: 4 daily steps without damaging them

A denture spends all day in the mouth and collects food, plaque and stains just like natural teeth. If it is not cleaned properly, it can stain, smell bad and contribute to gum discomfort. The good news is that the routine is simple.

This guide sums up how to clean dentures every day, with four steps on which the sources we consulted agree, and what to avoid so you do not warp or scratch them. It applies to full dentures and, with some differences, to removable partial dentures. What it does not replace is your dentist’s advice, because your dentist knows the material of yours.

Before you start

• Ask your dentist what material your denture is made of and which products they recommend. They are not all the same: some are acrylic, some have metal clasps or other components.
• Always clean over a basin with a little water or with a towel in the bottom. If you drop it, it can easily break.
• Work with clean hands and with the denture out of the mouth.

1 Take it out and rinse it after eating

Whenever you can, remove the denture after meals and rinse it with water to wash away food. It is a short gesture that reduces what has to be brushed later. If you cannot take it out, rinse your mouth well.

Use lukewarm water. Hot or boiling water can warp it, and a warped denture fits badly and can cause sore spots.

2 Brush it every day with a suitable brush and a non-abrasive cleanser

Daily brushing is the basis. Mayo Clinic recommends brushing it at least once a day with a soft-bristled brush, preferably one made for dentures, and with a non-abrasive cleanser. Sanitas agrees that daily cleaning is done with a brush.

Here is the most common trap: everyday toothpaste. Mayo Clinic warns that it is too abrasive for dentures and scratches them, and Colgate says the same of hard-bristled brushes and abrasive cleansers. A scratched denture collects more plaque and stains.

Brush all surfaces with gentle movements, including those that rest on the gum and the gaps between the teeth. Then rinse with water.

3 Soak it in a denture product, if your dentist recommends it

Denture tablets or solutions are presented as non-abrasive and complement brushing, but do not replace it. A Cochrane review on denture cleaning found weak evidence in favour of soaking in effervescent tablets or enzyme solutions, with few studies focused on full acrylic dentures. In other words: they may help, but it is not proven that some methods are better than others.

If you use them, follow the instructions on the pack exactly for time and quantity, because they vary from product to product. Then brush and rinse well before putting it back in your mouth.

4 Keep it moist overnight and rinse it before putting it in

Most dentures need to stay moist so they do not lose their shape. Mayo Clinic recommends leaving them in water or in a mild denture solution overnight. If in doubt, ask your dentist how to store it, because it depends on the material.

In the morning, rinse it with lukewarm water before putting it in, especially if you used a soaking product. That way no trace of the product stays in your mouth.

How to clean stained or very dirty dentures

Stains from coffee, tea or tobacco, hardened plaque or tartar do not always come out at home. What you should not do is raise the harshness: more force, a harder brush or an abrasive. That will scratch the surface and make it stain again more easily.

If the denture is very dirty, looks yellow or has tartar, ask for a clean at the clinic. Sanitas notes that ultrasound can complement brushing but not replace it. The dentist can also check the fit and condition of the denture.

How to clean dentures at home with home remedies

Many home remedies circulate online, such as baking soda, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. The sources do not agree: some propose baking soda and others, such as Delta Dental, advise against baking soda and household cleaning powders. As there is no clear dental recommendation backing them, the prudent course is not to improvise and to use a cleanser designed for dentures, or ask your dentist.

Mistakes to avoid

• Do not use bleach or whitening products. Mayo Clinic says they can weaken the denture and change its colour, and chlorine products can tarnish metal parts.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other acids: toxic gases are released. Even less on something that will go in your mouth.
• Do not use boiling or very hot water, which can warp it.
• Do not use everyday toothpaste, scouring powders or hard brushes.
• Ventilate the bathroom if you use a product with a smell, and always rinse with plenty of water.
• Follow the instructions of the denture maker and of the cleaning product.

When to see the dentist

See your dentist if the denture moves, has cracked, rubs, your gums are red or sore, you notice a bad taste or smell that cleaning does not remove, or there are stains and tartar that will not come off. It is also worth having it checked regularly, as your professional advises.

What we recommend

The best-supported routine is short: rinse after meals, brush once a day with a non-abrasive cleanser, soak overnight and rinse in the morning. Avoid fashionable ideas, bleach and hot water, and leave difficult stains for the surgery. A well-cared-for denture lasts longer and is more comfortable to wear.