Everyone wants to show off a smile that is bright, white, and beautiful! Even if you don’t have your natural teeth anymore, a custom set of dentures can give you the complete set of pearly whites that you deserve. However, even the whitest dentures can become discolored overtime if you aren’t careful. Continue reading to learn more about caring for your dentures and keeping them in perfect condition.
How Can You Whiten Your Dentures?
There are two main ways you can make your dentures look good as new. Here are your options.
Professional Denture Cleaning
Ask your dentist about having your dentures professionally cleaned. This way, they can remove surface stains and polish them. Your prosthetic will look brand new, and it doesn’t take very long. Many people who have dentures have this completed about twice a year to keep their dentures in good condition.
At-Home Denture Cleaning
If you aren’t quite ready to have your dentures professionally cleaned, you could purchase a non-abrasive denture cleaner. This may be all you need to restore your smile to its original shade. By leaving them to soak overnight, a denture cleaner helps to loosen and remove both stains and deposit buildup. If you aren’t sure about a particular product or solution, ask your dentist for some guidance.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Dentures
You should stay away from the following methods when you clean your dentures.
- Abrasive Products: If you don’t use the right products, they can cause damage to your dentures. Be sure to avoid using hard and medium-bristle toothbrushes, harsh toothpaste, and abrasive cleanings meant for whitening. You don’t want to ruin the brightness of your dentures.
- At-Home Whitening Solutions: These solutions, like whitening toothpaste and bleaching products, are not intended or safe for dentures.
- Hot Water: Hot water is great at disinfecting certain items, but it shouldn’t be used for dentures. High temperatures can warp the prosthetic, causing it to become permanently damaged.
How to Prevent Your Dentures from Staining
- Rinse and brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive cleaner after meals.
- At night, leave your dentures in a denture soaking solution.
- Cut back on dark colored foods and beverages, like coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, and dark-colored berries. If you do enjoy one of these items, rinse your dentures right away afterward.
Over time, dentures become dull and discolored. By using the methods listed above, you can restore some of their brightness and keep them bright, white, and beautiful!
About the Practice
At Columbus Dental Arts, Dr. Molly Makos Fraser and Dr. Alex Wolf work together to treat patients in the Columbus community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about dentures or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (609) 324-9500.