Skip to Content

What Can You Use To Clean Dentures?

Photo of a denture on a while background

They say that a smile a day keeps the doctor away but dirty dentures will not only keep doctors but also people away from you. Unclean dentures ruin your smile, make you look unpleasant, and most importantly, host a myriad of bacteria that will definitely affect your oral hygiene. So what can you use to clean your dentures?

You can use a multitude of items like baking soda, dish soap, Milton, and Clorox, to clean your dentures. Moreover, if your dentures are filled with plaque or tartar, using a solution of vinegar and water is the best way to wash them clean.

Cleaning your dentures is important to avoid tissue infection, mouth sores, and gum irritation. Besides the bad aesthetics, you should also be careful with your dentures because once the enamel (outer covering) decays, you will have to purchase new ones which are very costly.

Can You Use Vinegar To Clean Dentures?

Top view of vinegar glass bottle

Vinegar is almost available in every household due to its widespread use in cooking. Vinegar has acidic properties which is why it is sometimes even used as a substitute for dish soap. However, is it safe to use it for cleaning dentures?

Vinegar is a very effective cleaning agent when it comes to cleansing your dentures. Due to its acidic properties, it is a natural disinfectant that can successfully get rid of all the germs and bacteria while also preventing their growth in the future, making it a viable option for cleaning dentures.

How To Use Vinegar To Clean Dentures?

If you’re looking to clean your dentures with vinegar, here are some simple steps to guide you along the way:

Step 1: Take a small bowl and fill it with equal parts of vinegar and water.

Step 2: Place your dentures in the bowl and make sure they are completely submerged. Next, let your dentures remain in the vinegar solution overnight.

Step 3: On the next day, rinse and brush them before wearing them.

Can You Use White Vinegar To Clean Dentures?

White vinegar is a great option to clean your dentures; especially since it’s readily available and affordable. Furthermore, its mildly acidic nature reduces the buildup of plaque and its ability to dissolve grease, grime, and other dirt does the trick when sanitizing the teeth.

Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Clean Dentures?

Apple cider vinegar can definitely be used to clean your dentures. Apple cider has enough acid to do away with stuck-on debris and bacteria, thus being perfectly capable of sanitizing your dentures. Just be sure to brush and rinse your dentures before wearing to take care of any missed out adhesive.

Can You Use Baking Soda/Bicarbonate Of Soda To Clean Dentures?

A photo of baking soda with spoon

Baking soda has been used frequently in removing dirt and grease in our households. It’s hailed as one of the best cleaning agents out there, but is this product suitable for cleansing the kind of dentures that have colonies of bacteria growing on them?

Yes, baking soda is a great material for maintaining clean dentures as its mild alkaline nature makes it easy to dissolve plaques and tartar. Furthermore, if used in the right proportions, baking soda not only acts as an antiseptic but even whitens the teeth in the dentures.

However, you should be aware that baking soda crystals might abrase the denture material which can quickly become a colony of lodged bacteria. This is why I would recommend you to consult your doctor before doing this.

Can You Use Bleach To Clean Dentures?

A photo of bleach

Bleach is one of the most commonly sought-after household products used to clean kitchen sinks, sanitize floors and remove stains from clothes. Given that bleach contains well-established disinfectant properties, one might wonder if bleach can also be used to clean dentures?

Although bleach is capable of cleaning your dentures, it might not be a wise solution especially if your dentures have a metal framework. This is because bleach is a relatively strong cleaning agent, and as such, can easily erode any metal framing and weaken the dental structure.

Therefore, you should be cautious as to which dentures should be cleaned using bleach before making your purchasing decision. If you do have quite a bit of bleach to spare and buy dentures that can be cleaned using bleach, don’t forget to follow the below-mentioned steps to ensure the safe cleaning of your dentures.

Steps For Cleaning Dentures With Bleach

Willing to clean your dentures with bleach? Here are a few simple steps to guide you along the way:

Step 1: Take a bowl and fill it with one cup of water and half a cup of bleach.

Step 2: Place your dentures in it and let it soak in it for two hours.

Step 3: Clean your dentures with a brush after removing them

Step 4: Rinse your dentures in warm water.

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean Dentures?

A photo a person's hand pouring hydrogen peroxide on a cotton

If you have an active interest in looking up the best cleaning materials for your household, you might have found that almost every other cleaning agent contains hydrogen peroxide. So, is this cleaning agent suitable for cleaning dentures?

Hydrogen peroxide can most definitely be used to clean your dentures. By ensuring optimal concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution, you can not only bring your dazzling smile back but also maintain healthy oral hygiene.

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant that curbs the growth of microorganisms. Additionally, it also whitens your teeth by removing the stains without doing any harm to your dentures.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.

Steps For Cleaning Dentures With Hydrogen Peroxide

Make sure to purchase a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide, preferably with a concentration of 3% or less, just like the one offered by Essential Oxygen. Moreover, make sure to follow these steps so that you do not damage your dentures in the process:

Step 1: Mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with half a cup of water in a bowl.

Step 2: Place your dentures in it and let them soak in it for thirty minutes.

Step 3: Clean your dentures by rinsing them with fresh water.

Can You Use Toothpaste To Clean Dentures?

A photo of a toothpaste coming out of its tube

Whenever you think about cleaning your teeth, the first thing that pops up in your mind is toothpaste. Hence, it is only natural to believe that toothpaste should also work to clean your dentures.

Just like teeth, toothpaste can certainly be used to clean dentures. However, due to their abrasive properties, ordinary toothpaste can induce scratches or cause crevices in the denture teeth which are the ideal breeding grounds for bacterial colonies. That is why it is important to buy toothpaste that does not harm your dentures.

You obviously don’t want bacterial colonies to grow in those lodges which is why certain denture-specific toothpaste should be used only, like the Polident Dentu Creme.

Qualities To Consider Before Buying Denture Specific Toothpastes

There are certain qualities that you should be mindful of before buying toothpaste, specifically for dentures. I’ve listed out a few which should be your main priority when searching for a toothpaste off the shelf:

  • The toothpaste should be non-abrasive and shouldn’t contain material like baking soda
  • The toothpaste should not contain corrosive material like carrageenan
  • The toothpaste should be safe for regular use.

Besides these, do try to buy these toothpastes from a reliable brand; you don’t want to risk your oral hygiene just for a few bucks!

Can You Use Dawn/Dish Soap To Clean Dentures?

A photo of a dishwashing soap with a mini container for its sponge

Everyone has at least tried it once in their lifetime to clean an item with soap if they can’t find a proper or suitable cleaning agent for it. In case you are unable to find anything to clean your dentures, should you use dawn/dish soap?

Dawn/dish soap is a feasible alternative to clean your dentures with. More specifically, soap can be used to remove stains and particles that produce stench. Dish soap is also an effective antiseptic that can kill most bacteria on your denture and inhibit their growth in the future.

Normal soaps that have disinfectant properties will work perfectly to clean the dentures. However, make use of soft brushes to clean the structure properly. In addition, using a brush and soap, clean the teeth of the denture gently and avoid brushing it roughly to protect the denture from damage.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.

Can You Use Salt And Water To Clean Dentures?

A photo of a glass of water and a spoon with salt on a table

Besides its use in food as a basic ingredient, I am sure you must have heard about the medicinal effects of salt. Not only that, but this versatile compound also aids in disinfection by killing germs – that’s why the powerful remedy for sore throat is to gargle with salt water. So will salt water be an effective cleaning agent for dentures?

Saltwater is a potent cleaning agent that acts as a disinfectant by altering the available water and pressure inside microorganisms, causing them to eventually die. The main advantage of using this agent is that it is readily valuable in every household so cleaning dentures would not be a big issue.

You can use a brush to apply salt water to the dentures while cleaning them. Other than that you can also leave the dentures in salt water overnight and then rinse them before wearing them.

Can You Use Milton To Clean Dentures?

From disinfecting kitchenware to pet litter boxes, Milton is a strong multi-purpose cleaning agent. Yet, is it appropriate to use such a strong cleaning agent to cleanse the dentures?

Yes, you can use Milton for cleaning dentures as it not only disinfects your dentures against various microorganisms but also gives it a clean look. However, it’s advised to consult your doctor about its concentration before actually using it to ensure maximum utilization and efficiency.

To get the best results, you should soak your dentures in Milton for fifteen minutes to ensure that it is properly cleaned. Conversely, avoid using Milton solution for metal dentures as it can cause the metal to erode.

Can You Use Alcohol To Clean Dentures?

Alcohol is one of the most prevalently used disinfecting agents and it certainly pops up in my mind when I think about disinfecting something. The question then becomes, can you use alcohol as a cleansing agent for dentures?

You can not use alcohol as a cleaning agent for dentures. It damages the acrylic nature of the denture which causes it to lose its structure, eventually rendering it useless. Therefore, I strongly suggest not to use alcohol or any product that contains alcohol to clean your dentures.

On a side note, some mouthwashes also contain alcohol. While our teeth can withstand those alcohol levels, the acrylic in dentures can not so you must be careful while buying mouthwashes as well.

Can You Use Denture Tablets To Clean Dentures?

Using denture tablets is just another solution to cleaning your dentures if you are skeptical about home remedies. These tablets create an effervescent solution consisting of cleaning agent compounds that rid the dentures of plaque and debris.

Steps to clean dentures using denture tablets

The procedure to clean your dentures is quite simple. All you need to do is to follow the few simple steps I have laid out for you

Step 1: Drop a Denture tablet in a bowl filled with very warm water.

Step 2: Drop your denture into the solution.

Step 3:Remove your denture after fifteen minutes and clean it before using.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.

Can You Use Mouthwash To Clean Dentures?

It is almost customary for me, and I am sure for many others as well, to rinse your mouth with mouthwash for fresher breath and cleansed teeth. While mouthwashes are a perfect way to get rid of debris in teeth, would they also work on dentures?

Mouthwash contains alcohol which is not entirely suitable for cleaning dentures. The acrylic nature of dentures is sensitive to alcohol, which even though it does clean the denture, slowly degrades it as well. Therefore, I recommend you to consult your doctor before buying a mouthwash for such a task.

Therefore using mouthwash is not the best choice especially when there are better alternatives available. However, you can buy mouthwash that is specially designed for dentures like Polident 3 Step Kit ProPartial.

Can You Use A Toothbrush To Clean Dentures?

Even after using mouthwash or other products, I am not satisfied until I brush my teeth just like the good old fashion way. Since maintaining oral health is extremely crucial, can people who wear dentures use a toothbrush(both regular or electric)?

No doubt, toothbrushes are an effective and simple solution to clean, germ-free dentures. Brushing the teeth of the denture removes the food particles or other debris and eliminates the risk of gum diseases that would otherwise be there.

After cleaning the dentures with a toothbrush, the dentures should also be put in an antibacterial solution to avoid bacterial growth. Additionally, you should rinse your dentures and rinse every meal as well.

Caution While Selecting Toothbrushes

Unlike natural teeth, dentures are much more prone to damage with vigorous brushing. Therefore, I recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush. On the other hand. electric toothbrushes involve mechanical motion which might be hard on the teeth so you should be vary and consult your doctor before purchasing anything.

For this purpose, specific Denture brushes have also been manufactured like the Oral B Denture Brush Dual Head. There are some advantages of using it over the regular brush.

Denture-specific brush

Regular toothbrush

Two heads

This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on Jun 14, 2022..

Only one head

Soft bristles

Harder bristles than Denture brushes

Comfortable grip

Might contain comfortable grip

This article was first published on Jun 14, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..

Can You Use Clorox To Clean Dentures?

Clorox can most definitely be used to clean dentures. You should use a Clorox Calgon Solution and place your dentures in it for 30 minutes. This is a low-cost, effective method for denture cleaning. However, it’s strongly advised to not use this solution on dentures containing metal structures or dentures with soft lining as it might cause damage.

Can You Use Citric Acid To Clean Dentures?

While citric acid is able to remove stains, it’s not recommended for cleaning dentures. That’s because dentures are composed of plastics, which, depending upon the concentrations of the citric acid might get denatured by it.

Can You Use Ultrasonic Cleaners To Clean Dentures?

You can definitely use ultrasonic cleaners for clearing impurities from your dentures. These cleaners generate sound waves that effectively remove any debris that may be stuck between the teeth. These are also recommended by dentists since they relieve you from the manual tasks of scrubbing and soaking.

Can You Use Coke To Clean Dentures?

It’s not recommended to use Coke to clean dentures, especially the ones that contain metal in them since coke is known to cause erosion in metal structure. Although you might argue with coke being used to clean various kitchen items, it’s advised to consult your doctor before choosing it to clean your dentures.

How To Clean Dentures Properly?

Just like you wouldn’t want to live without brushing your teeth, you should definitely take care of your dentures and clean them properly. So what are the proper methods to clean your dentures?

Cleaning dentures is a trivial task but you must know the most effective techniques so that you do not jeopardize your oral health. By cleaning your dentures with the correct technique, you will not only be prolonging their lifetime, but you will be saving yourself from various diseases.

This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 06/23/2022.

How to Clean Your Dentures

There are two main ways of cleaning your dentures; brushing them rigorously or soaking them in a cleaning agent. If you’re one who’s not satisfied until they’ve brushed out all the impurities, I’d suggest cleaning your dentures at least twice a day. Moreover, rinse the dentures after you’ve brushed them and dry them out before inserting them back into your mouth.

If you opt to soak your dentures in a cleaning solution, make sure to remove them after the prescribed time. Otherwise, you can risk damaging the overall structure of your dentures. You should also rinse them thoroughly to remove any residue of the cleaning agent before you wear them back again.

Related Articles

What Can You Use To Clean Invisalign?

WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on Jun 14, 2022 and last modified on .

What Can You Use to Clean Toothbrush?