San Francisco and Marin CA
Dentures are an affordable option for replacing your teeth. But they require cleaning and care to keep them looking natural and in good shape. Just like real teeth, plaque and tartar can build up on your dentures, causing bad breath. Additionally, buildup can make your dentures appear dingy and stained. There are several remedies you can do to keep your dentures looking natural and help them last longer. Explore our at-home guide to whiter dentures so that your false teeth will have the longest life span and look their best.
Rinse after eating or drinking
One of the best ways to help reduce stained dentures is to rinse your mouth and dentures after eating or drinking anything other than water. High-pigmented foods and beverages like coffee, wine, berries, and marinara sauce can easily stain dentures if you don’t clean them often enough. We recommend removing your dentures and rinsing them thoroughly after every meal or when you drink a highly pigmented beverage. While you’re at it, rinse your mouth as well before placing the dentures back in your mouth.
Soak your dentures overnight
Ideally, you remove your dentures while you sleep to give your gums a rest. However, dentures can dry out and become more susceptible to cracking or breaking unless you store them properly. Soak your dentures in a denture solution while you sleep. These solutions can be purchased at most pharmacies and grocery stores. Soaking solutions not only help remove buildup but freshen your dentures to keep them looking fresh and clean. Some dentures can safely soak in mouthwash, although we recommend discussing this with the dentist first so that you do not harm your dentures.
Brush your dentures daily
Dentures, just like natural teeth, need to be brushed daily. There are denture brushes available that are designed specifically for cleaning false teeth. A denture brush is more effective at cleaning dentures than a traditional toothbrush. Additionally, use a mild soap and avoid using standard toothpaste as it could be too abrasive. Brushing your dentures daily helps reduce stains and buildup in the same manner as brushing natural teeth does.
See the dentist regularly
Most people with dentures assume that they no longer need to visit the dentist for checkups unless they experience an issue or need their dentures adjusted. However, even denture wearers should see the dentist regularly. We not only examine your mouth to ensure there are no changes in your oral health that could signal a problem like oral cancer or gum infections, but we also give your dentures a good professional cleaning. Dentures can also benefit from a cleaning at the dentist known as scaling, which uses specially designed dental instruments to gently scrape buildup off your false teeth.
Family Dentists in Marion and the Bay Area of California
Keeping your dentures fresh and clean can help boost your smile confidence and help your false teeth last longer. If you’re interested in more ways to keep your dentures looking good or want to explore other more permanent tooth replacement options, contact Glen Park Dental today by calling (415) 585-1500.
