A clean denture feels better, smells fresher and helps prevent irritation and inflammation of the oral mucosa. Therefore, do not only clean your dentures, but also take care of your mouth, tongue, palate, any natural teeth and - in the case of implant-retained removable dentures - the implants or stud attachments.
In 40 seconds
See how to clean your dentures
The most important daily steps are clearly and calmly displayed.
Your personal instruction may differ due to the type of prosthesis, material, implants or the phase of healing.
This is how you clean your denture every day
- Wash your hands first. Carefully remove the denture from the mouth.
- Avoid breakage. Fill the sink with water or place a folded towel in the sink. If the denture slips from your hands, it will fall softer.
- Rinse away loose food particles with cold or lukewarm water.
- Brush the entire prosthesis. Use a special denture brush with water and a little mild, unscented liquid soap, or the product we personally recommend. Clean the outside, inside, chewing surfaces, edges and recesses.
- Rinse thoroughly before replacing the prosthesis.
- Clean your mouth also. How you do this depends on the type of prosthesis; Below you can read the difference.
Practical rule: brush your denture carefully in the morning and evening and rinse or clean it after meals. A clean denture should feel smooth. A rough surface, stubborn deposits or a persistent unpleasant odor may mean that professional cleaning is required.
What do you use and what do you not use?
Do use
- a special denture brush;
- cold or lukewarm water;
- mild liquid soap or the product recommended by us;
- a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for your own teeth, roots and implant parts, according to your personal instructions.
Prefer not to use
- regular toothpaste on the denture: this can scratch the plastic, making it easier for deposits to adhere;
- hot or boiling water: this can cause the prosthesis to deform;
- bleach, chlorine, abrasives, vinegar or aggressive cleaners: these can affect plastic, metal and colour;
- the dishwasher or microwave: heat and cleaning agents can damage fit and material;
- sharp objects: Never scratch away tartar or deposits yourself and do not file or sand the denture.
An effervescent tablet or other denture cleaning product does not replace brushing. Only use a suitable, non-abrasive product according to its instructions and our advice. Extra care is needed with metal-framework dentures, implant-retained removable dentures and soft liners, because not every cleaning product is suitable for metal, attachment components or soft materials.
Complete dentures
Clean the upper and lower dentures carefully on all sides. In addition, brush the edentulous jaw mucosa, the palate, the transition to the cheeks and the tongue at least once a day with a soft toothbrush or clean vulnerable mucous membrane with a wet gauze. This way you remove plaque and massage the mucous membrane on which the denture rests.
It is best to rest your jaws at night by removing the denture, unless we have agreed otherwise with you during the adjustment or healing period. Have you recently had teeth extracted and immediately received a denture? Always follow the personal instructions you received when placing it; Other rules may apply during that first period.
Plate prosthesis or frame prosthesis
With a partial denture, your own teeth remain present. Clean the dentures after meals and brush your own teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Pay extra attention to teeth and molars on which brackets, anchors or supports rest and to the transition between denture and gums. This is where plaque and food residues easily remain.
A frame contains metal. Therefore, do not use bleach, chlorine or aggressive cleaning agents. Gently brush the frame with water and mild soap. Discuss with us whether you should remove the plate or frame prosthesis at night; The right advice depends, among other things, on your oral situation, wear and tear and any grinding.
Implant-retained removable dentures on implants, stud attachments or a bar
With implant-retained removable dentures, both the removable denture and the parts in the mouth must remain clean. Remove the implant-retained removable dentures from the mouth and carefully clean the inside, the recesses and the mounting parts. Brush the implants, stud attachments, bar and the surrounding gums according to the instructions you received from us, the dental implantologist or dental hygienist. A soft toothbrush, a small brush or a special implant brush are often required.
Food debris and plaque around implants can cause inflammation. Bleeding, red or swollen gums, pain, pus, a bad taste or dentures that suddenly click differently are reasons to contact us. Do not use metal tools to scratch under a bar or around a locator.
Store overnight
Clean the prosthesis first. Depending on the material and our personal advice, dentures can be stored dry in a closed denture container or wet in clean water. Change water every day. Always rinse the denture before putting it back in the mouth. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Does your prosthesis have a soft lining, metal frame or special attachment parts? Then follow the storage instructions you received from us. Not every material should be left dry for a long time or placed in a cleaning agent.
Stubborn deposits, discoloration or tartar
Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking can cause discoloration. Tartar can also form on dentures. Do not try to scrape off hard deposits yourself. We can assess whether professional cleaning is possible and at the same time check whether the denture is still smooth, intact and well-fitting.
When will you contact us?
- pressure sores, wounds or pain that do not subside quickly;
- red, burning, bleeding or swollen mucous membrane;
- white spots, a bad taste or a persistent unpleasant odor;
- cracks, a fracture, a sharp edge or a loose tooth;
- a prosthesis that fits looser or suddenly feels different;
- implant-retained removable dentures that no longer click into place properly;
- tartar or deposits that cannot be removed with normal brushing.
Never repair, glue, file or sand the prosthesis yourself. If in doubt, please contact Van Hoften Tandprothetiek. Together we will look at what is going on and, if necessary, show you which brush, interdental brush or cleaning method suits your denture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I brush my dentures with toothpaste?
No, not with regular toothpaste. This can be too abrasive for the plastic. Use a denture brush with water and mild liquid soap, or the product we recommend. You do use fluoride toothpaste for your own teeth.
Do I have to clean my prosthesis after every meal?
Rinse or clean the denture after meals to remove food debris. Brush it thoroughly at least twice a day. Partial, metal-framework and overdentures require extra care around natural teeth, roots, implants and attachments.
Do I have to take my dentures out at night?
This is usually wise, so that the oral mucosa gets some rest. Different advice may temporarily apply to new or immediately placed dentures. Therefore, always follow your personal treatment advice.
How often should I have a check-up?
Even without teeth of your own, assessment remains important. The mouth and jaw change and dentures wear out. During the check-up we assess the oral mucosa, the fit, the bite, the prosthesis and - if present - the implants or your own teeth. We will agree with you which inspection frequency suits your situation.
Resources and further information
This patient information has been compiled based on advice from recognized Dutch oral care organizations and supplemented with our practical instructions:
- KNMT – dentures (removable prosthesis)
- Ivoren Kruis – a new denture
- Ivoren Kruis – plate or frame prosthesis
- Ivoren Kruis – overdentures and implant-retained removable dentures
This page provides general information. Your personal instruction may differ due to the type of prosthesis, the material used, implants, a soft lining or the phase of healing.