Dentures are an excellent tool for restoring your smile and chewing ability. Proper cleaning is incredibly important for keeping them looking great and lasting.

At the same time, dentures can be surprisingly easy to damage if they are not cleaned correctly. After all, dentures aren’t cheap and are made of materials that need gentle care.

We’ll walk you through the best way to clean dentures, covering daily habits and important dos and don’ts to keep them clean, fresh, and in great shape.

Daily Routine for Cleaning Dentures

1. Rinse After Eating

Whenever you eat a meal with dentures or even a snack, it’s a good idea to rinse them afterwards.

Remove the dentures from your mouth (do this carefully over a sink of water or a soft towel in case you drop them) and hold them under running tap water. Rinsing washes away loose food debris and prevents gunk from hardening on the denture. It also helps wash off some bacteria, which is part of the best way to clean dentures daily.

2. Brush Your Dentures Every Day Gently

You need to brush your dentures every day, much like natural teeth, in order to remove plaque and stains.

However, you should not use a regular hard-bristled toothbrush or ordinary toothpaste that you’d use on natural teeth on dentures, as these can scratch and wear down the acrylic.

Instead, use a soft-bristled denture brush (or a very soft regular toothbrush) and a non-abrasive cleanser, such as a toothpaste specifically designed for dentures or a mild hand soap.

Following these steps is considered the best way to clean dentures without causing damage.

3. Soak Dentures Overnight

Most dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Unless your dentist has told you otherwise, always soak your dentures overnight.

When you take your dentures out to sleep, place them in a glass or denture bath filled with either plain water or a denture cleansing solution.

This serves two purposes: (a) it ensures the denture doesn’t dry out and warp (dentures can warp if left to dry since they are designed to be in a wet environment), and (b) it gives them a good cleaning while you sleep if you use a cleaning solution.

Many people use a denture cleanser tablet in the water overnight. This helps to disinfect the denture and loosen any tartar or stains.

4. Morning Rinse Before Wearing

When you wake up, rinse your dentures well, especially if they were in a cleaning solution, since you don’t want that in your mouth!

It’s also good practice to brush your gums, tongue, and any remaining natural teeth with a soft toothbrush in the morning before inserting your dentures to ensure your mouth is clean.

Best Way to Clean Dentures Dos and Don’ts

Knowing the dos and don’ts is the best way to clean dentures safely and keep you smiling with a fresh mouth every day.

DOs	DON’Ts
Use a soft-bristled brush since hard bristles can scratch dentures and trap bacteria or stains.	Don’t use hot water since heat can warp dentures.
Use denture cleansers or mild soap.	Don’t use abrasive cleaners or gritty toothpaste.
Handle your dentures carefully. Clean over a towel or sink filled with water to prevent breakage if dropped.	Don’t use bleach on metal partials because it corrodes metal and can discolor acrylic.
Brush your gums, tongue, palate, and any remaining teeth daily.	Don’t wear dentures 24/7. Remove and soak them overnight to let your gums rest.

Keep Your Dentures Clean and Your Smile Confident

By now, you know that the best way to clean dentures is all about gentle care and a simple cleaning routine. Doing your best to maintain your dentures will not only keep them clean but also extend their lifespan and protect your oral health.

If you need partial dentures or full dentures, Dental Lab Direct can help. Our dentures are made with high-quality materials that are designed to stand up to daily cleaning and wear. With the tips above, you’ll keep them in pristine condition.

Ready to get started? Order your dentures directly from Dental Lab Direct today and enjoy a brighter smile with the confidence that comes from professional, lab-quality care, delivered right to your door.