Whether you can use toothpaste for denture care is a common question many people wonder when they first get dentures. The short answer to this question is no; you cannot. But why is it that you can’t use toothpaste on dentures? Let’s find out.
Dentures are made of a less sturdy material than your natural teeth. Toothpaste is grainy and coarse; it can be too abrasive to dentures which can lead to scratching and enamel removal. This can lead to your dentures becoming weaker and discolored.
You still must brush your teeth, even if you cannot use toothpaste. You will need to brush your dentures at least once to twice a day to remove any leftover food debris or bacteria. A soft bristle brush that is approved for dentures is the best tool you’ll have in your arsenal.
Additionally, an approved denture cleaner is what you should use with your brush to brush your dentures. You can still use regular toothpaste to brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth. This will help to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Brushing your mouth is still important to ensure you remove all bacteria from your mouth so that it doesn’t get onto your dentures. Using a mouth rinse can also help to remove any leftover bacteria as well.
After you have properly brushed your dentures, you will want to make sure you soak them overnight in an approved denture solution. Soaking is a crucial step to ensuring you do not dry out your dentures. Drying out the dentures will cause them to become brittle, crack and potentially break a lot easier. It is recommended by dentists to at least soak your dentures for six to eight hours every day, and overnight is the best time to do this. Not only does soaking help to keep your dentures moist, but it also helps to make sure any leftover food debris or bacteria is cleaned out properly.
The problem with bacteria in your dentures is that this can lead to dental infections, which could travel into the bloodstream, causing additional health problems in the future.
Another myth that many people who wear dentures fall victim to is that they no longer must see their dentist unless a big problem arises. Dentures should still be professionally cleaned at least annually. Your dentist will still want to perform an exam to determine how the soft tissues in your mouth that support your dentures are healing. They will also want to provide a professional cleaning to ensure that your mouth is clean and healthy. This is a good opportunity to talk to your dentist and ask them any questions you may have about proper denture care and if you are following a good routine currently.
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