How Do You Clean Partial Dentures Naturally?
Keeping your dentures clean is essential for both oral health and to help reduce the risk of complications that can arise from unclean dentures. If not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow on the gums, tongue and in the mouth, causing bad breath and other issues such as denture stomatitis. If left untreated, infection could also thinning bone and gum tissue, causing your dentures to fit poorly or even fall out completely. The good news is that there are several natural ways to keep your dentures clean and free of bacteria, reducing the risk of infections and other complication.
The most important thing to remember when caring for your dentures is that they need to be handled with care and not subjected to harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners or brushes, which can damage the surface of the dentures and etch or scratch the plastic. Using a gentle soap or toothpaste with a soft brush, you should brush your dentures at least twice a day and soak them each night.
Rinsing your dentures helps remove food debris and loosens plaque and tartar that can cause stains. You should always rinse your dentures after each meal, and you should also run water over them while removing them at the end of each day to remove any lingering food particles. It is important to always remove your dentures over a soft surface, such as a towel or sink, to prevent them from breaking if they are dropped accidentally.
There are a number of natural cleaning solutions that can be used to clean your dentures, including vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Vinegar has been shown to be effective for cleaning dentures, killing bacteria and reducing odors. When soaking your dentures in vinegar, it is important to use distilled white vinegar rather than cooking or other types of vinegar that can transfer their flavors into the dentures.
Baking soda has been known to clean teeth and is a common ingredient in traditional toothpaste, as it can help to loosen tough food particles and dissolve plaque. You can mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to make a paste and apply it to your dentures, then brush them thoroughly. You can also soak your dentures overnight in a solution of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide. However, if your dentures have metal clasps, do not soak them in this solution, as the mixture may tarnish or corrode the clasps.
Finally, you can also place your dentures in a glass of water with a small amount of salt and stir them to help keep them clean. The salt will not only help to remove any odors but can also prevent the formation of tartar. While there are many cleaning products available, it is best to get a recommendation from your dentist as to what the safest and most effective solution for your specific needs will be. They may suggest a cleaner that is specially made for dentures.
