Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss because they can rebuild your smile’s appearance and functionality regardless of how many natural teeth are remaining. Your dentist can provide a lifelike restoration that can potentially last 5 to 10+ years if cared for correctly.
However, even those who are committed to keeping their prosthetics clean might eventually notice the teeth have become stained over time. You might think you can whiten them with topical treatments, but that’s usually not the case. Read on to learn 3 tips that can help you maintain the shade of your dentures!
Tip #1: Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Plenty of people who want to brighten their prosthetics assume they can use the same or similar options as patients trying to lighten their enamel, but that’s typically not the case. The pontics (artificial teeth) of your dentures are usually made from resilient ceramic or resin, which doesn’t respond to topical treatments like natural teeth do.
Not only that, but applying overly harsh chemicals to your dentures can scratch their surfaces or abrade the material. This creates grooves where pigmented particles and bacteria can gather, which can contribute to oral issues, such as gum disease. As a result, it’s best to avoid using bleach, household cleaners, baking soda, lemon juice, whitening toothpaste, or hard-bristle toothbrushes when cleaning your dentures.
Tip #2: Clean Your Dentures Often
Your dentures restore a portion of your original bite force so that you can enjoy a wider variety of wholesome foods to support your oral and overall health. But you must clean them consistently to prevent them from developing plaque or becoming stained.
Scrubbing your restoration twice daily with a soft-bristle brush and clear dish soap can remove leftover food, germs, and other debris to help prevent potential discoloration. You can also remove it and rinse it under gently running water after meals to ensure that any darkly tinted foods or drinks you’ve consumed, such as tea, coffee, tomatoes, or berries, don’t linger on its surfaces.
Tip #3: Visit Your Dentist Regularly
You can also help maintain your teeth by scheduling a routine checkup with your dentist every six months. This allows them to monitor your condition so they can catch and treat any areas of concern, such as swollen gums, before they become more serious.
They can also professionally clean your dentures and polish away more recent surface stains so that you can continue to enjoy showing off a beautifully bright grin!
If you have additional questions about the condition of your dentures or how to maintain them, you can learn more by scheduling an appointment with your provider!
About the Practice
At Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys, people of all ages benefit from a team of dentists eager to help them build the healthiest and most beautiful versions of their smiles. Our general dentists and periodontist collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to address even the most unique needs under one roof. Their caring approach is paired with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver accurate, reliable treatment results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (305) 680-1553.