How to Effectively Clean Plaque and Bacteria From Dentures

Tips for Effectively Removing Plaque From Your Dentures

Taking good care of your dentures is important to keep them functioning properly and avoid issues like irritation, bad breath, and oral health problems. Knowing how to thoroughly clean plaque off dentures helps minimize bacteria buildup and staining.

Understanding Denture Plaque

Plaque that accumulates on dentures is a sticky film made up of bacteria, food debris, saliva, and dead cells. It sticks firmly to the porous surfaces of removable false teeth. Allowing denture plaque to remain for too long raises your risk for:

• Gum inflammation
• Recurring fungal infections
• Permanent stains
• Halitosis

Removing denture plaque regularly keeps them clean for proper mouth function and good oral hygiene.

When to Clean Dentures

Ideally, you should clean plaque off your removable prosthetic teeth at least once per day. However, more thorough cleaning is often needed to prevent tartar buildup and keep dentures fresh.

Be sure to clean plaque from your dental appliances:

• After eating
• Before bedtime
• At least 12 hours of wear

Supplies for Removing Denture Plaque at Home

Having the right gear makes it easier to clean plaque off dentures properly. Equip yourself with these effective cleaning supplies:

• Soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste
• Denture brush
• Denture cleaning paste
• Denture soaking solution
• Mouthwash
• Denture box or cup

How to Remove Denture Plaque

Wondering exactly how to get rid of denture plaque? Follow these simple methods for clean, debris-free dental appliances.

Brush Daily

Cleaning plaque off your dentures involves regular brushing. Using a soft regular toothbrush or specific denture brush, gently scrub all tooth surfaces with paste for two full minutes. Pay extra attention to crevices and hard-to-reach nooks where plaque hides.

Take care not to brush too aggressively on acrylic material. Overbrushing can damage and rapidly wear down false teeth over time. Focus brushing motions along gumlines rather than eroding tooth surfaces.

Soak Dentures Overnight

While brushing helps surface cleanliness, soaking dentures is equally important to clean plaque lurking deeply inside pores. Allowing dentures an extended chemical bath helps break down microscopic debris buildup.

After nightly brushing, submerge dentures fully in a vessel filled with cool or lukewarm denture cleaner. Follow exact solution instructions for how many hours to soak. Don't use hot water as it can warp shape. Soaking too long also risks fading painted decorations.

Clean With Vinegar

Plain distilled white vinegar makes an inexpensive and highly effective anti-microbial denture bath for cleaning plaque. To use, mix equal parts vinegar and clean water. After brushing, set dentures in vinegar solution for 30 minutes up to a few hours.

Rinse very well before wearing again. Vinegar's acids help dissolve debris while killing odor and stain-causing bacteria.

Use Mouthwash

Swishing daily with an antiseptic mouthwash reduces denture plaque, bacteria, and bad breath. Gently swish rinse inside dentures as well as around gum surfaces and oral cavities for 30 seconds.

Mouthwash reaches tiny spaces between teeth and pink acrylic that harbor hidden plaque. Rinsing provides an extra anti-microbial boost between brushings.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

For the most thorough denture plaque removal, visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist uses professional-grade ultrasonic cleaners and acid neutralizers perfect for deep cleansing down to the microscopic level. Regular dental visits also check for structural damage needing repair from improper plaque removal.

Toughest Places for Removing Denture Plaque

Even diligent at-home cleaning may still leave some amounts of difficult denture plaque. Trouble spots like clasp attachments and fake gum sections prove extra challenging for DIY cleaning.

Clasps and Metal Parts

Intricate metal prongs and bars used to anchor partial dentures easily collect layered plaque. But their delicate design risks damage from overly-abrasive scrubbing.

Use an interdental cleaner or floss threader to gently lift debris away rather than scraping directly. Alternatively, use a denture brush dipped in mouthwash for hard-to-reach clasps.

Pink Acrylic Gumline

The pink acrylic rim mimicking natural gums offers lots of textured surface space for denture plaque adhesion. But brushing too vigorously here can wear down material integrity.

Try wrapping brush bristles with a soft cloth for added gentle friction. Denture paste formulas help extra but don't aggressively over-scrub the pink lining.

Special Considerations for Partials, Implants, and Other Denture Types

Cleaning methods may need slight adjustments depending on your specific dental appliance. Here are some special considerations for other dental solutions:

Partial Dentures

Partial removable dentures with connected metal frameworks require very gentle care. Avoid hard brushing so clasps don't become misshapen. Use lots of soaking time and interdental cleaners instead of forceful scraping.

Dental Implants

Permanent bridges fused to implant posts should be brushed gently as you would natural teeth. But avoid excessive pressure on seam connections to prevent cracks. Pick soft bristles and consult your dentist on ideal cleaning techniques.

Denture Adhesives

If using denture paste adhesives to help hold appliances in place, take special care removing all leftover sticky residue after taking dentures out. Adhesive leftover hardens into a cement-like plaque very stubborn to remove even with soaking.

When to See Your Dentist About Denture Plaque

While maintaining diligent at-home care keeps most plaque away, difficult cases may need professional intervention. Schedule an appointment promptly if you experience:

• Bleeding or sore gums
• White or red oral lesions
• Bad breath persisting over one week
• New denture cracks, chips or breakage
• Loose fit with poor adhesive hold
• Difficulty speaking or chewing

Seeking dentist help for excess plaque accumulation avoids progression into urgent infections, decay, or fit issues. Getting professional cleanings every 6 months also optimizes your at-home care effectiveness.

Maintaining Your Dentures for Best Plaque Prevention

Diligent daily denture care provides your first defense against difficult plaque buildup. But maintaining proper storage and handling also improves cleaning success.

Handle With Care

Be very gentle whenever inserting or removing dentures to avoid cracking or chipping teeth. Never force ill-fitting appliances or use harmful DIY alteration attempts.

Allow Drying Time

Wet conditions encourage excess denture plaque growth. Always fully air dry implants after rinsing before wearing again or overnight storage. Consider using desiccant drying beads in closed containers.

Disinfect Accessories

Any denture cleaning tools should be kept very clean themselves and replaced regularly to avoid spreading contamination. Disinfect any soaking containers, plates or storage kits at least weekly.

With diligent daily and overnight soaking and brushing combined with routine professional cleanings, keeping dentures free from stubborn biofilm accumulation is an attainable goal.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.