Oral hygiene should be a priority for everyone. That includes people who have lost all of their natural teeth and now use dentures. Still, you might wonder how your prosthetic should affect your daily oral hygiene routine. Can you brush your dentures without removing them, almost as if they were normal teeth? This blog post provides some important information that will help you to maintain a fresh and healthy smile.

Brushing Your Dentures Without Removing Them: Pros and Cons

Brushing your dentures while they are still in your mouth is unlikely to cause any harm to them or your oral tissues. Just be sure you use a very soft brush and avoid the use of toxic or abrasive cleaning products. (Please note that you should not use regular toothpaste — it might scratch your artificial teeth.) Brushing your dentures without removing them can be a useful method for freshening up your smile after meals.

However, there is a big caveat that you should bear in mind. Brushing your dentures while they are still in your mouth is not the best or most thorough way to clean them. You must take your prosthetic out of your mouth so you can clean its underside. You also need to clean your gums at least once a day. Otherwise, harmful bacteria and odors could accumulate both on your artificial teeth and your oral tissues. You might end up with infections, bad breath, and additional problems.

Thoroughly Cleaning Your Dentures

Here are some tips to help you thoroughly clean your dentures when they are outside of your mouth:

• Use a soft brush. Preferably, you should use one that is specifically designed to be used on dentures.
• Use a mild cleaning agent. Ask your dental team for recommendations on the product you should use to remove bacteria and food particles from your dentures.
• Soak your dentures nightly. Keeping them moist helps them retain their shape. You can choose to place them in water or a cleaning solution that will fight bacterial buildup.
• Consider purchasing an ultrasonic cleaner. It can use sound waves to remove stubborn debris from your prosthetic.
• Clean your mouth. Wipe your gums with a soft cloth, be sure to brush your tongue, and regularly swish with an antibacterial mouthwash.

Brushing your dentures without removing them offers only limited benefits. It is much better to remove your prosthetic so you can thoroughly clean it!

Meet the Practice

Abington Family Dental Care is proud to offer a broad range of treatments to our community, including dentures, denture maintenance services, and more. If you have questions about your tooth replacement options or about how to care for your prosthetic teeth, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 781-780-2658.