False teeth are the best way to replace missing teeth and maintain the appearance of your smile. Like real teeth, they need regular care to stay clean, fresh, and comfortable. Without this, they can develop stains, odours, and even harmful bacteria. With the right cleaning techniques and daily habits, you can keep your dentures looking their best, feeling fresh, and maintain good oral health.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most effective methods for cleaning false teeth to ensure they remain in top condition for years to come.
General brushing tips
Cleaning your artificial teeth is easy to incorporate into your regular brushing routine you already do for your natural teeth.
If you’re wearing dentures, you’ll need to remove them before you start cleaning. Hold them over a sink filled with water – you could even hold them on a folded towel so you don’t accidentally drop and break them.
Regardless of the sort of artificial teeth you have, use a soft bristled toothbrush to gently brush away food particles and any other deposits that have got themselves onto your teeth.
You should also make sure to avoid hot water, abrasive cleaners, and harmful chemicals whilst cleaning, as these can damage false teeth. Not only that, but they can cause you to develop mouth sores, bleeding gums, and other oral health problems.
Cleaning dentures
For denture wearers, cleaning is a breeze!
Full and partial denture cleaning
After each meal, you should remove and rinse dentures under cold water to get rid of any loose food debris or denture adhesive.
Use a soft bristled brush to clean your dentures. Make sure you clean all surfaces, inside and outside, with a non-abrasive denture cleanser or soap. Regular toothpaste can damage the dentures, so save this for your natural teeth.
The importance of overnight soaking
Whether you have full/complete dentures or partial, soaking your dentures overnight is a crucial part of keeping them looking their best.
You should soak dentures in cool water overnight to help:
- Maintain fit: being left in the open to dry out can weaken dentures, so soaking them in a good cleaning solution helps preserve their structure.
- Disinfect: a denture soaking solution is designed to kill bacteria, plaque, and other microorganisms that can accumulate over the day. This also helps to prevent bad breath.
- Let gums rest: removing your dentures gives gums a chance to breathe and recover from any minor scuffs or irritation.
Cleaning dental bridges
Like dentures, dental bridges need to be cleaned regularly to help maintain oral health. How you clean them will depend on whether the bridge is fixed or can be removed.
Removable bridges can be removed and cleaned using a denture brush and non-abrasive cleaner. They should be rinsed thoroughly before you put them back in your mouth.
Fixed bridges are very different. Since they are attached to your remaining teeth or to implants, they need to be cleaned the same way as your real teeth. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean under the bridge.
There are a number of tools that can help you really get a good clean of your bridges and help prevent problems like tooth decay.
Interdental brushes
These small brushes clean the gaps between the teeth that a normal toothbrush cannot reach. For bridges, these can help clean around the appliance and any large spaces between the bridge and your teeth and mouth.
Floss
Floss is also an important part of caring for dental bridges, but traditional floss might be a little trickier to use. You could use a floss threader to help you work around your bridge, but it might be that you need a different type of floss altogether. There is special floss that is slightly thicker, stiffer, and spongy to make it easy to insert and move around appliances like bridges.
Water flossers
These use a jet of water to effectively clean in between teeth after brushing. They are actually considered to be more effective at moving plaque than tape-style floss. For those with sensitive gums, water flossers could be a less painful way to floss. They’re ideal for those with dental bridges because the water will reach between teeth and the bridge easily.
Cleaning dental implants
Because dental implants are fixed in your mouth, they need to be treated almost exactly like your natural teeth.
They should be brushed twice a day with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Make sure to pay particular attention to the abutment (the bit of the implant that is connected to the bridge or crown) and make sure this is clean to prevent any problems developing.
How to avoid gum infections
Without proper care, implants can develop peri-implantitis, a gum infection that can lead to implant failure.
Brushing, flossing, and interdental brushes should also be part of your implant care routine. Alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash is also a useful addition to help reduce bacteria, although strong antiseptics like chlorhexidine shouldn’t be used long-term, as they can lead to staining.
When to repair or replace false teeth
Signs dentures, bridges, or implants need attention
False teeth don’t last forever, and broken dentures, bridges, and implants are all part of the process. Recognising when they need attention can prevent discomfort and further dental issues.
- Dentures: Loose fit, discomfort, difficulty chewing, or visible wear.
- Bridges: Chips, cracks, or difficulty flossing due to trapped food.
- Implants: Red, swollen gums, pain around the implant, or movement.
Getting repairs or replacements
If your implants, bridges, or dentures break, don’t panic!
Dentures
A dentist can bonded lightly cracked dentures together using a special resin. If a tooth is broken, a replacement can be added to the base, and it’s easy to reline or rebase ill-fitting dentures.
However, it’s not always possible to fix broken dentures that have suffered severe damage, at which point a new set will be the only option.
Bridges
A loose bridge can be removed and re-cemented easily by your dentist. Small chips can be repaired with resin, but major damage might warrant a replacement for the whole bridge.
If decay is found around the supporting teeth, the bridge will need to be removed so that the natural teeth can be treated. They might need fillings or crowns but, once this is done, a new bridge can be placed.
Implants
A loose implant crown is a common issue. If the visible part of the implant (the crown) becomes loose or damaged, it can often be replaced without affecting the implant post. This is a relatively simple fix that a dentist can handle quickly.
The abutment can also sometimes loosen or break. If this happens, the abutment may need to be replaced to restore the stability of the implant.
In rare but serious cases, implant failure can occur. If the implant itself becomes loose due to bone loss or infection, it may need to be removed. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent further complications.
Importance of regular dental check-ups
Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining the health and longevity of artificial teeth. Your dentist will make sure your dentures, bridges, or implants remain in good condition and fit properly.
Check-ups also allow your dentist to detect early signs of gum disease, infections, or any damage to your false teeth. Catching these issues early can prevent more serious problems from developing.
Additionally, professional cleanings and adjustments during these visits help to prevent further complications. Regular check-ups are key to ensuring your false teeth stay comfortable, functional, and free from long-term issues.
Artificial teeth at Direct Dental Balham
Taking care of your artificial teeth helps them last for as long as possible.
At Direct Dental Balham, our experienced team will guide you through proper cleaning routines, provide professional check-ups, and offer solutions if repairs or adjustments are needed.
Whether you’re looking to get new dentures, a dental bridge, implants, or simply need help maintaining your current false teeth, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Book an appointment today with our friendly team at Direct Dental Balham and ensure your smile stays healthy and bright for years to come.
