Virtually everyone wants a white, bright smile — and denture wearers are certainly not exceptions to the rule. Perhaps your prosthetic looked gorgeous when you first received it, but after a while, you might have noticed that it began to look discolored. How can you reverse denture stains in Watertown and prevent them from returning? Read on below to get some practical guidance on this important topic.
How Not to Whiten Dentures
To begin, you should know what things you should avoid when your goal is to whiten your dentures in Watertown. You should never:
- Use abrasive dental products to clean your dentures. For example, you should not use whitening toothpaste or any other at-home teeth whitening products.
- Clean your dentures with household products. Some people have ended up damaging their prosthetic teeth by trying to whiten them with bleach, lemon juice, or baking soda.
- Expose your dentures to extremely hot water. The high temperature could easily warp your prosthetic.
How to Whiten Dentures
Here are a few safe ways to address mild denture stains:
- Gently brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and minimally abrasive toothpaste.
- Soak your dentures overnight in a cleansing solution that is specifically designed for prosthetic teeth.
- During your next oral health appointment, ask your dental team to thoroughly clean your dentures. They have special products and know all the right techniques to get rid of surface stains.
Keep in mind that if the staining on your dentures is severe, you may need to purchase a whole new prosthetic. If that happens to you, remember that acrylic dentures usually incur stains more readily than porcelain ones. That is because the acrylic has little pits in it that can accumulate pigments from food. Porcelain, on the other hand, is nonporous; pigments tend to slide right off of it.
Preventing New Denture Stains
Here are some practical tips for minimizing new stains on your dentures:
- Rinse your dentures often. This is particularly important after you eat or drink anything that is highly pigmented, such as black tea, coffee, berries, or red pasta sauce. (It would also be advisable to limit your intake of such items.)
- Adhere to an excellent oral hygiene routine. You should thoroughly brush your prosthetic every night, and you should keep it in a cleansing solution or room temperature water whenever you are not using it.
- Do not chew tobacco or smoke. Cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco can expose your denture to highly staining substances, causing it to turn yellow.
Do you want to have a bright, stain-free smile? The above guidance can help you to keep your denture as beautiful and clean as possible.
Meet the Practice
All Dental in Watertown is home to talented dentists and other staff members who are committed to helping our patients enjoy a positive oral care experience. Whether you are just starting out on your tooth replacement journey or are looking for help to maintain your dentures, we are ready to serve you. Contact us at 617-207-0947.