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Denture Cleaning
Having dentures is like having real teeth. You should never neglect the regular
cleaning and maintenance of dentures.
After all, you paid money for them and there’s no sense risking the need
for premature replacement. Aside from
the monetary considerations, you need to consider the hygiene problems that could
develop if you don’t keep up a good regime of denture cleaning.
Since they’re microscopically porous, dentures tend to
accumulate bacteria that can lead to acute disorders in your mouth. The oral environment is already alive with
many different kinds of bacteria to help break down food. You don’t want them to be breeding in your
dentures because it could lead to additional tooth loss, gums that are swollen
and bleed, and all sorts of bad infections.
The most basic care of dentures should begin with denture
brushing. Use a denture cleaner at
least twice per day like your normal brushing routine. A good rule of thumb is to brush, then soak,
and then brush them again. Be careful
about dropping your dentures while you clean them to prevent chipping or
cracking. If you clean them over a
towel or sink full of water, you can prevent any unfortunate accidents.
There are a variety of special denture cleaner solutions
available that will accelerate the cleaning process if you soak it. As you scrub them and wipe them dry always
use light circular motions to avoid scratching or grooving the surface. Though all surfaces must be thoroughly
cleaned, the key area is where the denture comes in contact with your
gums. This is critical if you use
adhesives.
Most denture brushing can be done with a mid-sized
toothbrush. The denture cleaner
solutions help remove staining and bacteria but should not be used for soaking
overnight. For an overnight soak just
use regular tap water.
Never try to bleach your dentures with strong household
cleaners. Not only does it weaken the
plastic of the denture but it can also poison you. For similar reasons you should never use extremely hot water to
clean them (don’t worry that won’t poison you though).
If you have special dentures with soft linings for sensitive
gums or metal portions, you should always consult your dentist about which
cleaning products are safe to use with it.
In the event that serious stain buildup or tartar develop,
you can always take the dentures to your dentist for a professional cleaning.
Most of your cleaning instruction should come from your
dentist. If you keep up a regular checkup
schedule you can avoid any unforeseen problems as they develop.
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