Unfortunately, many new patients at our Los Angeles holistic dentist believe once they have dentures, all worry regarding their teeth ceases to exist. Since dentures can hide microorganisms and stains, this is a myth. You need to keep your dentures clean for appearance and your long-term health. Dirty dentures have often harmful risks.

Bruce Vafa DDS. believes knowing dirty dentures increase your risk of fungal infections including thrush, discomfort and pain. Thrush is generally found on the underside of your denture at the roof of your mouth.

Your risk increases if you do not regularly remove your dentures or have dry mouth. Fungus leads to inflammation which results in tender and bright red gums requiring an anti-fungal medication. You will be unable to wear dentures until you have healed.

Mouth Sores

If you do not clean your dentures regularly, food debris builds up and can result in mouth ulcers, irritation and sore spots.

Cosmetic Issues

If you do not clean your dentures, stains will accumulate and change the color of your acrylic gum tissues and plastic teeth. Removing accumulated stains can result in abrasion of your dentures including a different appearance and shape.

Cleaning Dentures Correctly

Soaking your dentures is not enough because they also require brushing to remove daily debris. After you have removed your dentures, use a denture brush and warm water to brush them. Your West Hollywood dentist uses natural shapes to make dentures including grooves, indentations, nooks and crannies.

This is where food debris and plaque collect. Just because dentures are constructed of acrylic and plastic and are unable to get gum disease or cavities done not mean accumulated debris is not an issue.

Using warm water and a denture cleaning brush enables you to get to the nooks and crannies to make certain all soft buildup is removed fairly quickly. The process is easy, fast and important.

Soaking

Brush away the debris before you go to bed, then soak your dentures overnight in a cleansing solution to prevent them from drying out. Use a denture solution you can purchase over-the-counter with a Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association to ensure the product is safe for your dentures.

Talk to your West Hollywood dentist before you use any homemade or DIY denture soak. Some recipes use harsh chemicals capable of bleaching or eroding the base of your dentures. Wearing your dentures for 24 hours is not healthy for your gum tissues and you need to remove and overnight

Professional Cleanings

Even if you do not have any issues, you still need to see your dentist every year to professionally clean your dentures. Bruce Vafa DDS. will also evaluate the tissues used to support your dentures and remove persistent stains you will be unable to take care of at home.

What to Avoid

• Do not use toothpaste when you brush your dentures. The plastic is a lot softer than enamel and will wear away gradually from the abrasive particles.
• Do not try to remove stains with a dremel tool or nail fail because you will expose the surface resulting in additional stains. Your dentist uses a polishing procedure before making adjustments for the creation of a shiny and stain-resistant surface.
• Do not soak your dentures in bleach, If the concentration is wrong, the pink gum base coloration can change.
• Do not use whitening products for teeth on dentures because the chemicals are only for enamel and can erode your dentures.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Due to the potential for gum disease, diligent cleaning is necessary for implant-supported dentures. Take your dentures out each night and clean them. Use a toothpaste and toothbrush your dentist has recommended. You need to make certain plaque buildup is removed from your implants to maintain implant health and prevent gum disease.