How to Clean Dentures at Home: A Daily Routine

Dentures collect the same plaque, food particles and stains that natural teeth do, and because they are removable, they also collect buildup on the side that faces your gums. A daily routine keeps them clean, comfortable and free of odor.

After meals

Remove the dentures and rinse them under running water to clear food particles. Handle them over a folded towel or a sink partly filled with water so they do not break if they slip.

Every day

Brush all surfaces with a soft brush made for dentures, or a soft toothbrush, and a non-abrasive denture cleanser or mild soap. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive and scratches the acrylic. Pay attention to the side that rests on your gums and to any clasps on a partial denture.

Clean your mouth too. Brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush, and brush any remaining natural teeth.

Soaking

Most dentists recommend soaking dentures overnight or for the time on the cleanser package. Our retainer cleaner tablets work for dentures as well as retainers. Use warm, not hot, water and follow the package instructions. An ultrasonic retainer cleaner also works well for dentures and reaches the textured gum-side surface that a brush misses.

Rinse the dentures thoroughly before putting them back in, especially after a soak.

What to avoid

• Hot or boiling water, which can warp the acrylic.
• Bleach, which can discolor the pink acrylic and corrode metal clasps.
• Abrasive toothpaste or stiff brushes.
• Letting dentures dry out. Store them in water or a soaking solution when they are not in your mouth.

See your dentist

Have your dentures checked regularly. A dentist can clean deposits you cannot remove at home and check the fit, which changes over time.

This article is general care information and is not medical advice. Follow the instructions from your dentist, orthodontist or the maker of your appliance.