Denture Dilemma: How Can I Keep Them Bright?

Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for replacing missing teeth because they are designed at every step of their creation to look and feel as much like your natural teeth as possible.

However, if you’re not careful, your restoration can become stained. Discoloration can leave you feeling self-conscious about the way you look and anxious about how others might perceive you. Continue reading to learn 3 tips to keep them bright and clean to boost your confidence!

Tip #1: Establish a Routine

Patients with dentures are at an increased risk of gum disease because their prosthetics are pressed tightly against their connective tissues all day. This can trap harmful bacteria and food debris and also reduce circulation to your mouth, which hinders your body’s ability to deliver essential nutrients to fight oral infections. Furthermore, your prosthetics can develop plaque which gives darkly pigmented particles a surface to cling to and stain your restoration.

That means consistently cleaning your mouth is essential to maintaining both your dental health as well as your reflection. You should remove them twice daily to thoroughly wash them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a special denture cleaner or mild dish soap to avoid abrading the material.

Tip #2: Watch What You Eat

One obvious advantage to having dentures is that you can eat a wider variety of wholesome foods to support your overall and oral well-being. Many nutritious foods that provide essential vitamins and minerals, like raw fruits and veggies, are hard to bite into or chew without a complete set of teeth.

That said, it’s important to adhere to certain dietary restrictions to avoid staining or damaging your dentures. For example, you should avoid anything that’s overly hard or sticky, like ice, candy, or taffy, that could shove or yank them out of place. You might also want to steer clear of common culprits known to stain, such as coffee, tea, wine, and dark sodas.

Tip #3: Schedule Regular Visits

If you’ve noticed that your restoration looks darker than it used to, you might wonder whether you can switch to a whitening toothpaste or use strips to try to lighten the teeth. Unfortunately, dentures aren’t made of the same organic components as the teeth you were born with and aren’t responsive to topical whiteners.

Scheduling a visit with your dentist every six months can help you keep them looking bright. Seeing them for routine checkups and cleanings allows them to monitor your condition to catch and address problems, like early gum disease, before they progress. Plus, they can professionally polish away surface stains that may have accumulated since your last appointment.

By making these few minor adjustments to your daily routine, you can keep your restoration in excellent condition for years to come!

About the Practice

Patients at Waterbury Smiles benefit from three outstanding dentists with decades of combined experience treating patients of all ages. They provide a full array of services to meet you and your family’s needs conveniently under one roof, including replacement teeth. They utilize durable, tooth-colored materials to provide comfortable prosthetics to rebuild your smile’s functionality and appearance. If your dentures need to be cleaned, you can request an appointment on the website or call (203) 575-9097.