While there have been many advances in dentistry that can help people avoid the need for dentures, there is still a large percentage of people in the United States who have false teeth of some type. Many people have partial bridges; others have full dentures. Regardless, although dentists predict that dental implants and other technological improvements may eventually remove the need for dentures or bridges, the reality is that millions of people are living today with false teeth. And, these people all need reliable, effective ways for cleaning and taking care of their false teeth.
Some may think that artificial teeth would be easy to handle; however, they actually take a good deal more work than real teeth. Not only do they need to be cleansed and scrubbed, but they also need to be disinfected – it is not sufficient to do only one or the other. In addition, false teeth wearers must take care of the areas of their mouth where the dentures or bridges sat by brushing the gums and remaining natural teeth (if any). Skipping good oral hygiene practices will lead to gum disease – and this can not only lead to health issues, but it can also cause false teeth to fit improperly.
Cleaning False Teeth By Hand
This is the first step toward getting dentures or bridgework clean. A denture brush is the best type of scrubber to use because these are made with the correct stiffness designed for cleaning false teeth. In a pinch, a toothbrush can be used; however, do not use a toothbrush that has been used previously because residual toothpaste particles can scratch the tooth surface of the dentures.
Hold the false teeth over a dishpan with a few inches of water or in a sink lined with a towel to clean. (Using one of these precautions is a good idea for guarding against possible damage in case the dentures get dropped.) Rinse the teeth first; then scrub all surfaces well. Apply a cleanser to the brush if desired; options include commercial denture paste or mild hand soap. Do not use toothpaste. Rinse the teeth thoroughly, making sure to remove any denture adhesive that was used.
Cleaning False Teeth Ultrasonically
After cleaning by hand, many people opt to use ultrasonic units for extra cleaning effectiveness. Units can be purchased for anywhere from $50 to $150, depending upon the size and where purchased. Some are advertised as jewelry cleaners; however, any ultrasonic unit may be used for cleaning false teeth.
Soaking False Teeth
Regardless of whether or not an ultrasonic unit is used, false teeth need to be disinfected or sanitized. This can be done through soaking in a chemical solution. The chemicals are used to remove bacteria that remain on the dentures and bridges after other false teeth cleaning has been completed.
There are effervescent cleansers that can be purchased that will serve the purpose of sanitizing the false teeth. Or, a person can opt to concoct a household solution in which to place the dentures or bridges. A simple internet search can lead to several homemade solutions.