Clean your dentures every day: rinse after meals, brush them gently with a soft brush and a denture cleaner, and soak them overnight. Good denture care keeps them looking better, stops bad breath and protects your gums from infection.
Daily denture cleaning routine
- Rinse after eating to remove food.
- Brush once a day with a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive and scratches acrylic.
- Clean over a folded towel or a sink of water, so a dropped denture doesn’t break.
- Soak overnight in water or a denture soaking solution.
- Rinse before wearing, especially after a cleaning solution.
Don’t forget your mouth
Brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush, and brush any natural teeth carefully, especially those a partial denture clips onto.
What not to do
- Don’t use hot or boiling water, which can warp acrylic.
- Don’t use bleach or harsh household cleaners, which can damage the denture and its metal parts.
- Don’t let dentures dry out.
- Don’t try to adjust or repair a denture yourself.
Caring for snap-in dentures
Clean the denture as above, and brush around each implant attachment twice a day. Plaque around implants can inflame the gums, so check-ups with a dentist are important. The small inserts in the denture wear out and are replaced periodically. See our snap-in dentures guide.
When to see a dentist
- Sore spots that don’t heal within a few days
- A denture that’s cracked, chipped or loose
- White patches or redness under the denture
- A yearly check-up, even if everything feels fine
This article is general information, not medical or dental advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your situation.