The History of Dentistry

Can You Use Toothpaste to Clean Dentures?

19 October 2015

Regina Carlson

Dentures may be designed to look like real teeth, but they aren't made from the same stuff. Although it's important to clean your dentures as regularly as you used to clean your teeth, you shouldn't use a regular toothpaste. Once your dentures are fitted, you'll need to change your cleaning habits to compensate for the fact that you're dealing with false teeth.

Why Is Toothpaste Bad For Dentures?

Regular toothpastes can be abrasive. Although this may not harm teeth, it may damage dentures, which are not as strong as natural teeth. For example, according to the Better Health Channel, the abrasive content of a toothpaste may scratch the denture's surface. This may give it tiny fissures that encourage bacterial growth. If this happens, you may start to get really bad breath, and your dentures may not look as good as they originally did if their surface gloss is abraded away. They may also stain more easily.

What Should You Use to Clean Dentures?

There are various ways to clean dentures. For example, you can use the following methods or products:

• Clean your dentures with soap and water. If you use this method, make sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly before putting the dentures back in.
• Use a denture toothpaste or paste. If you're brushing dentures, use a specialist denture brush and be gentle to avoid scratching them.
• Soak your dentures in a fizzy denture solution.

Bear in mind, you can mix and match cleaning solutions. For example, you may decide to clean your dentures with soap and water most of the time, soaking them in a fizzy solution every couple of days to tackle bacteria and more stubborn stains.

Denture Cleaning Tips

• Typically, it's best to remove full dentures before you clean them. This gives your mouth a break, also allowing you to take the opportunity to massage your gums to promote blood flow.
• Rinse your dentures in running water before you clean them. This helps dislodge bits of food and debris.
• Clean your dentures over a sink of water or over a cloth or towel. If you accidentally drop them when you're cleaning them, this helps prevent damage.
• Don't use very hot water to clean or soak dentures. Heat may change their shape, affecting their fit.

Tips: Don't forget about your overall oral health. It's a good idea to brush your tongue, gums and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush to keep them healthy when you clean your dentures.

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