How To Keep Your Dentures Clean and Bacteria Free
If you have dentures, you will know that keeping your dentures clean is an important part of maintaining your oral health and keeping your gums and mouth healthy.
Plaque is a thin, sticky film that forms on your dentures and gums when bacteria is allowed to grow in the mouth and can lead to gum disease. If left alone for too long, plaque can turn into a tougher substance called tartar, which adheres to your dentures and causes a plethora of problems.
Removing this plaque and tartar from your denture, and keeping your gums and dentures clean, is a simple process that can be easily implemented into your oral hygiene routine. In this article, our team at Flagstaff Smiles explains how this process works.
To Start
First, you will need to prepare the area in which you are going to clean your dentures. It would help to always clean your dentures over your sink, which should be filled halfway with water. The water will help to cushion the blow should you drop your dentures, preventing them from breaking.
Our dentist in Flagstaff recommends that you place a clean towel beside the sink. That way, if you need to put your dentures down while cleaning them, you have somewhere safe to place them.
Soak Your Dentures Prior to Cleaning
Prepare a solution that is one part warm water and one part vinegar in a container. Next, gently place your dentures in this solution, ensuring that they are fully coated. Let them sit in this solution for a couple of minutes to allow the solution to soften the tartar and plaque on them.
Brush Your Dentures
Our dentist near you recommends that you always brush your dentures after each meal and before you head to bed at least two times a day. To remove the bacteria from your dentures, use a denture brush and special denture toothpaste to carefully scrub them, paying specific attention to the crevices and cracks in which food debris may linger.
Try not to scrub too vigorously, as this can damage your dentures, and you will have to seek replacement dentures near you.
Once you are done brushing and clearing away as much debris as you can, rinse your dentures thoroughly with warm water.
Soak Your Dentures During the Night
When you take out your dentures for the night, ensure that you store them in a container filled with denture cleanser. This will ensure that they don’t dry out overnight and that they are ready for you to put straight into your mouth when you get up in the morning.
Visit Flagstaff Smiles For Professional Denture Cleanings
When you get dentures in Flagstaff, you will have to visit a dental office at least once a year to get them refitted. This appointment is also an excellent time to ask your dentist to professionally clean your dentures. This will extend the lifespan of your dentures and keep your mouth and gums in excellent condition.
If you have any questions or concerns about your dentures and how to care for them, our dedicated team of dental professionals at Flagstaff Smiles is happy to assist you in any way possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us and book an appointment with our experienced and compassionate dentist today.