How to whiten a denture at home? How to maintain it so that it lasts in time? Why is it better not to whiten your dentures yourself? And finally, how to keep it at night?
I. Why Do Dentures Turn Yellow?
Dentures can turn yellow over time. This is due to several factors. The material of the denture is to be taken into account, as well as the maintenance that one makes of it.
If you do not take meticulous care of your dentures, they will lose their luster more quickly.
Also, drinking coffee and tea, smoking cigarettes, etc. can cause your dentures to turn yellow.
II. Types of Dentures
1. Resin:
Resin is one of the materials in which a denture can be made. The advantages of a resin denture are numerous.
First of all, it is a malleable and solid material. Resin dentures fit the teeth perfectly and are comfortable for the wearer.
2. Ceramic:
For an optimal natural look, there are ceramic dentures. Because they have no metal parts, it is almost impossible to distinguish a ceramic denture from a natural tooth.
In addition, ceramic is very durable.
Ceramic dentures are ideal for crowns or bridges. However, they are not usually used on other types of dentures.
3. Metal:
Many dentures have a metal base such as chrome, palladium, or silver.
Dentures are rarely only metallic, but often hybrid.
This is the case of the ceramic-metal prosthesis, made of an amalgam of ceramic and metal.
It is a solid and stable prosthesis thanks to its metallic part, in addition to being less expensive. The concern is the risk of allergy to metal.
III. How to Whiten a denture at Home
1. Good hygiene
To avoid yellowing of your dentures, it is necessary to maintain them well. But maintenance also intervenes to stop the yellowing already engaged.
You should brush your dentures after each meal to make sure they are clean. Once a month, you must also use a disinfectant and rinse it well.
If you have a removable prosthesis, do not sleep with it and let it rest in the box provided for this purpose. This will keep it safe from bacteria.
2. Using an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush can be used if you wear dentures.
Ask your dentist for advice on the best electric toothbrushes for your care.
Use this electric toothbrush at least twice a day, at least twice after your meals. This allows you to do homemade tooth scaling.
3. Cleaning with White Vinegar
If you wear dentures and want to clean them naturally, white vinegar is an ideal compound.
Once you have rinsed your dentures, place them in a bowl with white vinegar for 2 to 5 minutes. You can also dilute the mixture and leave the dentures in there for longer.
Once this is done, rinse the dentures thoroughly before putting them back in. This is a quick and cheaper way to whiten teeth.
4. Cleaning Denture with Baking Soda
Mix baking soda with distilled water to make a paste. Use this paste-like regular toothpaste. Put it on your toothpaste before brushing your teeth with it.
Baking soda can whiten teeth quickly. Using this compound is ideal for restoring the luster of your dentures.
Rinse your mouth vigorously afterward.
5. Cleaning with (Marseille) Soap
Because it is very mild, you can safely use Marseille soap to clean your dentures.
Simply mix a little Marseille soap with warm water and dip your dentures in it. Once inside, use a denture brush and brush gently with it.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
6. Cleaning Denture with Salt
Salt can be used in two ways to clean your denture.
In the case of a fixed denture, you can moisten your toothbrush and dab it with salt before using it for brushing.
You can also do the same with a removable denture. It’s a homemade scaling process.
The second method is to soak your removable dentures in a solution of water and salt.
Let it sit in the solution overnight, then take it out and rinse it with clean water.
7. Use of Dental Floss
Floss can be used on fixed dentures. What you need to do is gently run it between your teeth to remove any residue.
You should also floss the dentures themselves, but gently. If your movements are too abrupt, you may move the appliance.
When you have braces, flossing is even more important to remove any food that may be stuck between the wires.
IV. How to Ensure a Long Life for Your Dentures?
To ensure a long life for your dentures, you must take care of them. Avoid eating hard foods that could damage it.
Do not use your teeth as a bottle opener. Maintain your teeth and mouth properly. Visit your dentist at least once a year, if not more.
V. Why It Is Better not to Whiten Your Braces Yourself
While the natural products mentioned above are suitable for whitening your natural teeth, they can also be dangerous.
Indeed, whether it is bicarbonate or salt, they are products that can deteriorate teeth and damage enamel.
In the case of dentures, they can alter their luster. If you want to whiten your dentures, ask your dentist first.
VI. Other Questions About Whitening dentures at Home
1. How Often Should I Clean my Dentures?
Ideally, you can clean your dentures after every meal. This is the best way to ensure that they stay in good condition.
But because cleaning your dentures three times a day can be burdensome, it’s a good idea to do it at least twice a day: in the morning and at night.
2. How to Keep your Dentures at Night?
Although some people decide to keep their dentures in at night, it is not recommended. The pressure on the jaw is great, and the dentures can be subject to bacterial growth.
The best way to keep your dentures overnight is to put them back in the box designed for this purpose.
Some boxes allow the denture to be safe from bacteria while it is out of your mouth.
Also, the compound in which the denture rests keeps it moist, which is important for its preservation.
3. How Do I Disinfect a Denture?
There are solutions specifically designed to disinfect dentures. You can soak your dentures in one of them overnight.
If in doubt, refer to the instructions or ask your orthodontist for advice.
Your dentures can also be soaked overnight in a mixture of water and white vinegar. Avoid bleach in these cases.
4. How Do I Whiten the Elastics on my Braces?
To whiten your braces yourself, you can use a homemade mixture.
This is made up of your fluoride toothpaste, half a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, and a teaspoon of baking soda.
Brush your teeth, especially the braces, with this paste. Do this for 2 minutes before rinsing your mouth.
Useful Links:
U of T researcher examines the damaging effects of teeth-whitening products on dental cells
Treatment with removable partial dentures: a longitudinal study