Keeping a Denture/Bridge Clean

Proper cleaning of dentures and bridges is crucial for maintaining oral health and comfort. Just like natural teeth, dentures and bridges collect food particles, plaque, and tartar. Cleaning them regularly helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.

Why Is Cleaning Important?

Just like natural teeth, dentures and bridges can accumulate food particles, plaque (a sticky deposit made of bacteria), and tartar (hardened plaque). By keeping them clean, you can prevent decay in remaining natural teeth, avoid gum disease (which can lead to tooth loss), and maintain your comfort and appearance. Dirty dentures can cause mouth swelling and soreness, making cleaning essential for your overall oral health.

How Do I Look After a Denture?

• Clean Over Water: Clean the denture over a basin of water to prevent it from breaking if dropped.
• Brush Daily: Brush the denture inside and out every day using a soft to medium brush. Use normal toothpaste or soap and water, and then rinse it thoroughly.
• Denture Soaking Solutions: Ask your dentist about denture-soaking solutions. Soaking alone won’t clean the denture, so brushing is also necessary. Always rinse the denture before putting it back in your mouth.
• Rest the Denture: Ideally, dentures should be left out of your mouth for at least 4 to 6 hours each day, preferably 8 hours. If this is impractical, make sure to clean them thoroughly.
• Storage: Keep dentures dry or in a denture-soaking solution when not wearing them. These solutions are mild disinfectants available at chemists’ shops.

How Do I Clean a Bridge?

Cleaning a bridge depends on its position in the mouth and its design. In addition to brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at both ends of the bridge, it is essential to clean underneath it.

• Flossing: Use floss with a threader or special floss with a stiff end to thread underneath the bridge and clean it.
• Special Tools: Your dentist may recommend "bottle brushes" (dentist-approved size and shape) or water jets to send a stream of water underneath the bridge.

What Are the Benefits?

• Healthier Gums and Teeth: Regular cleaning helps keep gums and teeth healthy, preventing bad breath.
• Prevents Oral Thrush: People who wear dentures are at risk of oral thrush, an infection that is more likely if dentures are worn constantly. Good denture hygiene helps prevent this infection.