It is very important to maintain proper hygiene of dentures to avoid the appearance of problems in the mouth, as bacteria and food debris can accumulate and can create bad breath and promote inflammation of the gums and tissues inside the oral cavity, in addition to preventing the appearance of:

1º Dental plaque, a sticky, colorless, soft film that constantly forms on the surface of the denture and contains bacteria that can cause cavities or gum disease.

2º Tartar, the hardened form of plaque when the residual plaque of the prosthesis reacts with the minerals in the saliva, capable of causing discoloration of the dental prosthesis.

If you are wondering how to clean your dental prosthesis or dentures, it is essential to know that it is a simple procedure that you can perform at home and that is essential to maintain optimal oral health.

Proper hygiene of dental prostheses is key to their durability, functionality and to ensure the general well-being of the user.

How to keep your dental prosthesis clean:

To keep your dentures clean, here’s what you can do:

  • Use an appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste to clean teeth, gums, implants and prostheses.
  • Use coarse dental floss or interdental brushes.
  • A dental irrigator can help you maintain healthier gums.
  • Use mouthwash if recommended.
  • Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3-4 months and interdental brushes every 4-5 days.
  • Visit your dentist periodically and have a professional cleaning every six months.
  • If you use removable prostheses, clean them meticulously after removing them and rest from their use at night.
  • Keep in mind that you should also take care of the cheeks, palate and tongue areas to avoid a build-up of bacteria.

 

How to clean different types of dentures

There are two types of dental prostheses:

  1. Fixed dentalprostheses (on teeth or implants), which cannot be removed for hygiene.
  2. Removable dentalprostheses (complete, partial, or unloading splints ), which can be removed for cleaning.

Cleaning a fixed dental prosthesis:

Cleaning of fixed prosthesis on teeth

To properly clean this type of prosthesis:

  • Brush your prosthesis at least twice a day.
  • It is important to follow the direction from gum to tooth vertically and to emphasize the junction between the two.
  • Use a brush of medium hardness and make vertical movements from gum to tooth, avoiding horizontal movements.
  • Pay attention to interdental hygiene with interdental brushes or coarse dental floss.

Types of interdental brushes:

  • Straightmodel: ideal for anterior teeth.
  • Angularmodel: recommended for posterior teeth.

Cleaning of fixed prosthesis on implants

Maintaining implant hygiene is crucial to avoid inflammation and peri-implantitis, which could lead to implant loss.

  • Brush your prosthesis at least twice a day.
  • Visit the dentist every 4-6 months.
  • If you use hybrid prostheses, they should be disassembled for professional cleaning every 1-2 years.
  • Use interdental brushes to remove debris.
  • A dental irrigator can be an effective adjunct, but it is not a substitute for brushing.

See How to prevent and eliminate dental tartar. A complete guide

cleaning-removable prosthesis

Cleaning removable dental prostheses or dentures

For proper maintenance:

  • Remove accumulated plaque and tartar with a soft brush and special toothpaste.
  • Soak your dentures with soap or cleaning tablets and rinse them well before use.
  • Do not put it in boiling water or leave it in bleach products for more than 10 minutes, they can deform it forever.
  • Take it off at night to sleep.
  • Store the prosthesis in water when not in use.
  • Remove fixing adhesives daily.
  • Once a year, subject it to professional ultrasonic cleaning.
  • Avoid using it 24 hours a day to prevent stomatitis.
  • Do not use bleaching products to clean dentures, as they may weaken the structure and change the color.

Removable prostheses and dentures, although it may vary from person to person, last between five and ten years. But before that, the denture may need to be realigned or readjusted for a better fit.

Remember that if the denture is not properly adjusted, it will move and can cause irritation of the gums, causing mouth sores or even dental epulis. In addition, food debris will tend to accumulate in the gap between the prosthesis and the gum or natural tooth, so not only will you feel discomfort, but it also favors the growth of bacteria, with the consequent appearance of bad breath and periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis).

That is why nowadays, dentists do not recommend this solution to recover missing teeth.

See Which is better a prosthesis or a dental implant?

To maintain a healthy mouth and proper hygiene, periodically visit the dentist you trust. And if you have any questions about how to clean your dentures, you can make an appointment at our dentalclinic in Barcelona and we will advise you on the best options to keep your mouth healthy if you wear or want to wear dentures or dentalimplants and enjoy a beautiful smile.

You can also read:

Dental problems in menopause. How to solve them

What to do if you have bleeding gums. Causes, treatments and prevention

What to do if an implant moves

Dra. Yasmin Raslan
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