You can clean your dental partials by brushing them with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste or a mild denture cleaning paste.
After brushing, soak them overnight in a cleaning solution made specifically for dentures. Then, rinse your partials thoroughly under running water to remove traces of the solution.
After cleaning dentures, store them in water or a denture-soaking solution to keep them moist.
Below, we discuss more on the care and maintenance of your dental partials. But first, what are dental partials, and why should you keep them clean?
Understanding Dental Partials
Dental partials, also known as partial dentures, are removable dental prosthetics used to replace one or more missing teeth. They have clasps that are connected to the surrounding natural teeth, thus keeping them in place.
Dental partials help improve the chewing and eating abilities of the wearer. They also help improve the appearance of their teeth.
As a denture wearer, keeping your appliance clean is crucial. According to research, cleaning partial dentures not only keeps them clean but also reduces the risk of developing cavities in surrounding healthy teeth.
Additionally, keeping your dentures clean can help prevent gum irritation, bad breath, and potential infections.
Daily Care for Dental Partials
Here are some daily care and maintenance tips for your partial dental.
Brushing dental partials: Brush your dental partials daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a denture brush to remove food, plaque, and other particles.
Use a denture toothpaste, not regular toothpaste. The latter is too abrasive and can damage your dentures.
Brush your dentures thoroughly and gently with warm water. Focus on the interior and exterior of your dentures.
Do you use denture adhesive? Clean the grooves that fit against your gums. This helps eliminate leftover residue.
Rinsing dental partials: After each meal, remove your dentures and rinse them under cool running water. This helps eliminate food particles or debris, preventing them from getting stuck on the appliance.
Remember, partial dentures are delicate. So, ensure you rinse them over a bowl of water to avoid accidentally dropping them.
Soaking dental partials: Soak your partials overnight in water or a mild denture solution recommended by your dentist. Adhere to the soaking time indicated on the label of the solution. Don’t soak your dental partials in hot water to avoid deforming your appliance.
Soaking your partials helps keep them moist while ensuring that they retain their shape. It also helps eliminate food particles and plaque, which can cause gum disease and bad breath.
Finally, don’t soak dentures with metal attachments in solutions containing chlorine. These solutions can eat away at the metal.
Deep Cleaning Dental Partials
Here are tips on how to deep clean your partial dentures:
Removing stains and buildup
Stains and plaque buildup are common with partials. While stains are caused by exposure to foods and beverages that cause discoloration, plaque is often the result of the accumulation of food particles and bacteria.
Hydrogen peroxide is effective in removing stains from partials.
To use, soak your dentures in a cup of hydrogen peroxide overnight. The next morning, remove them and brush them gently.
To remove stains from your partials, you’ll need vinegar.
Place your partials in a cup and fill it with white vinegar. Then, leave them to sit overnight.
The following morning, scrub them with a toothbrush. Rinse dentures thoroughly before putting them in your mouth.
Using denture cleaners
Place your dental partials in a container and fill it with warm water. Add a tablet of denture cleaner and allow it to sit for the time indicated on the package.
Next, brush with the cleaning solution made specifically for dentures. Then, rinse under cool running water.
Cleaning your partials with denture cleaners helps eliminate plaque buildup and stains. It’s also a good way to disinfect your appliance, making it feel fresher.
DIY deep cleaning solutions
Don’t have denture cleansers? You can deep clean your dental partials using DIY deep cleaning solutions.
Baking soda and vinegar is a common option.
To use, mix them in a glass container. Stir until the mixture starts to bubble. Next, soak your dentures overnight in the solution.
The next morning, rinse them under running water. This process helps whiten your dental partials, keeping them clean.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Dental Partials
When not in use, store your dentures in a container filled with water or cleaning and soaking solutions. This helps keep them moist.
Additionally, ensure you rinse your dentures properly before placing them in your mouth. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your dentures.
Remember to schedule regular dental appointments. Your dentist can make any needed adjustments to the device and offer you advice on cleaning partial dentures. If necessary, your dentist can also examine and clean your dentures professionally.
To avoid sores and inflammation, don’t wear your dentures while sleeping. It’s also important you don’t skip regular checkups.
Finally, don’t ignore oral hygiene, especially if you still have natural teeth. Brush your tongue, teeth, and roof of your mouth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do this daily for optimal results.
Conclusion
Cleaning and maintaining your dental partials is important to prevent infection and promote overall oral health. Proper denture care will also ensure you don’t lose more teeth to gum diseases.
Remember, cleaning your dentures properly and practicing proper oral hygiene is key to achieving a healthy and confident smile.
FAQs
How often do dentures need to be replaced?
Get new dentures if your current ones are damaged, worn, or don’t fit well. Typically, partial dentures last 5-10 years with proper care and thorough denture maintenance.
How do I store my partial dentures after use?
After removing partials from your mouth, store them in a denture-soaking solution. Contact a dental professional or dentist about the correct way to store your dentures. They may suggest that you soak dentures overnight in water or store them in a denture case or container made for that purpose.
Should partials be kept in water?
Yes. When not in use, keep your dental partials in water. This prevents your dentures from getting brittle and wrapped.
