Dentures are a great alternative for people who have lost their teeth for various reasons. However, like natural teeth, dentures also require regular cleaning to maintain good oral hygiene.
Plaque accumulation on dentures can result in bad breath, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
Therefore, we discuss how you can instantly remove hard plaque from dentures and keep them clean and fresh.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a thin and sticky biofilm of bacteria that forms on teeth. Once you eat or drink, bacteria in plaque start to produce acids. These acids can erode tooth enamel, lead to cavities, and worsen gingivitis (gum disease). It also covers dentures when you wear them. The plaque must be removed daily with thorough denture cleaning.
How To Clean Plaque Off Partial Dentures?
There are several ways to remove plaque from dentures and improve oral health. One can either use a denture cleaning brush or solution or get teeth cleaning products to maintain the hygiene of their dentures.
Unlike natural teeth, people who wear dentures can more easily clean all the surfaces and areas of a denture. It is always recommended to check your dentures regularly to see if any plaque has accumulated.
If you spot plaque, you can try the following solutions to get rid of the plaque on your dentures:
Baking Soda Solution
Prepare a solution by mixing two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of warm water. Stir the baking soda well with a spoon and let your dentures soak in the cup overnight. Brush the dentures thoroughly the following morning; the enzymatic properties of the baking soda will clean all the remaining plaque deposits.
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is the best way to remove plaque from dentures if your dentures do not contain any metal components. The high acid content of vinegar makes the cleaning process of plaque buildup easier. White vinegar is effective even when not diluted.
All you have to do is place your dentures in a cup, cover them with white vinegar, and let them soak overnight. And before you rinse them under water, scrub them with a toothbrush to ensure all the plaque buildup and bacteria are thoroughly removed.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another whitening agent you can easily get from supermarkets. It can be used to clean your dentures and natural teeth. Particularly, it is highly effective at removing stains and discoloration.
Hydrogen peroxide helps to remove plaque accumulation from denture surfaces by breaking it down. Put your dentures in a cup and soak them in hydrogen peroxide for several hours or overnight. The following morning, brush them and rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.
Note: Ensure you are gentle while cleaning, as hydrogen peroxide is abrasive.
Professional Denture Cleaning
If you wear dentures, make sure you visit your dentist regularly to evaluate the health of your teeth and gums. Dentists can check your mouth for problems like lesions or changes to your jaw and make sure the dentures fit comfortably.
During these appointments, ask your dentist to clean your dentures. Dental professionals use specialized tools like ultrasonic cleaners to remove the plaque biofilm that accumulates on dentures with time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, no matter what type of denture you wear, you must clean and maintain them to avoid plaque buildup. Regular cleaning makes sure that you have good oral hygiene.
A very convenient alternative for plaque removal is to get a dentist appointment and let the dentist clean your dentures and remove the plaque deposits. If you want to do it at home, you can use baking soda or vinegar.
FAQs
1. How do you clean badly stained dentures?
Ans: You can clean your dentures using a moist soft-bristled toothbrush if your dentures are badly stained. Soak your dentures overnight in homemade denture cleaners like bleach, baking soda and vinegar.
2. Do tartar and plaque mean the same?
Ans: Though both are related to dental health, they are different. Plaque is a colorless, sticky film of bacteria that may cause discoloration as it can trap food particles on the teeth. When your plaque hardens and turns yellow, it is known as tartar.