As you likely know, dentures act as false teeth. They thus let you smile, chew food, and speak clearly. You might think, then, that cleaning dentures while they’re in your mouth is okay. After all, they act like natural teeth in so many other ways; why not this one? The truth, though, is that an in-mouth brushing won’t do you much good. You’d be better off following the suggestions of your Granger dentist. That said, here’s why you shouldn’t brush dentures in your mouth and some alternate cleaning tips.
Don’t (Just) Brush Dentures in Your Mouth
Of course, you technically *can* brush dentures while they’re in your mouth. With a soft-bristled toothbrush and the right toothpaste, doing so wouldn’t harm your false teeth. The process could even get rid of some bacteria and plaque.
The issue is that cleaning dentures this way isn’t thorough enough. To properly cleanse all their surfaces, you’d have to remove them. Otherwise, areas your toothbrush can’t reach would suffer bacteria buildup. Left unchecked, this bacterial growth would lead to bad breath, gum disease, and worse conditions.
Given this fact, it’s easier and faster to remove your dentures for cleaning. In fact, good cleans involve removing them twice daily.
Good Denture Cleaning Tips
To ensure your false teeth get an effective clean, you’ll want to have some good tips on hand. Follow the ones below so the next cleaning goes well:
- Remove and Brush Your Dentures Daily: After they’re out of your mouth, brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush all across their surfaces. That way, you’ll remove food debris and plaque.
- Use the Right Toothpaste(s): For your existing teeth, use a regular or dentist-recommended toothpaste brand. On the other hand, your dentures will need a specialized cleaning paste.
- Give Your Dentures Regular Soaks: Place your dentures in a glass of water or denture solution overnight to keep them moist. As needed, you can do a vinegar soak to remove any tartar buildup.
- Be Careful: Clean your dentures over a basin half-filled with water. This will keep them from breaking in case of a slip-up.
Talk to your local dentist if you want more advice on cleaning dentures. They’ll be happy to offer their help so you can support your restored smile.
About the Practice
The Granger Dental Group is based in Granger, IN. As led by Dr. Joseph Hickey, the practice improves oral health comfortably for its patients. To that end, its staff offers personalized preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including emergency procedures. Whether you need a checkup, a crown, an implant, or a denture, the Granger team will deliver excellent results. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (574)-277-4235.