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Dentures are an essential part of many people’s lives, providing the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, and smile without hesitation. However, over time, dentures can become stained and discolored, causing them to lose their luster and aesthetic appeal. This article will help you understand how to avoid staining/discoloring your dentures, as well as how to effectively whiten dentures. You’ll also learn about all the things you should never do to your dentures – for example, unlike natural teeth, dentures aren’t tough enough to be successfully whitened with abrasive toothpastes and other stain-removing products.
Why dentures get stained and discolored
Dark-colored food and beverages –Consuming tea, coffee, red wine, dark berries, and certain spices can lead to stains or an overall darker tint on dentures. These substances contain pigments that adhere to the denture’s surface.
Tobacco – Smoking or using tobacco products can lead to unsightly stains on dentures due to the tar and nicotine present in these substances. Vaping liquids that contain nicotine can also discolor dentures.
Oral hygiene – Just like natural teeth, dentures require careful cleaning. If not cleaned regularly, food particles, bacteria, and plaque can accumulate, leading to discoloration, infections and odor.
Medications – Some medications can cause dentures to become discolored. Discuss any medication-related concerns with your dentist.
Age – Over time, the denture material can absorb pigments from food, beverages, and oral care products, resulting in a gradual change in color.
Do’s and Don’ts for Whitening Dentures
Please talk to your dentist before implementing any of the tips below. Our tips align with best practice guidance from professional dental organizations, but your dentist is the best source of guidance on what will work best for you specifically.
Don’ts:
Bleach – Do not use whitening treatments intended for natural teeth, or any product containing bleach, to whiten dentures. Bleach can damage the denture material and alter their color unevenly.
Hot water – Only use warm or cold water to clean or soak dentures, hot water can warp or distort the denture’s shape.
Abrasive materials – Avoid using abrasive materials like hard-bristle toothbrushes, metal tools, or harsh chemicals on dentures. They can scratch the surface and create areas for stains to accumulate.
Boiling – Don’t be tempted to boil dentures to remove germs or stains. Immersing dentures in boiling water can cause the denture material to become brittle, leading to cracks and breaks.
Standard toothpaste –Regular toothpaste, especially whitening toothpaste, is too abrasive for dentures and can lead to scratches and dullness.
Do’s:
Clean your dentures thoroughly at least once a day – The American College of Prosthodontists recommends that dentures be cleaned daily by soaking and brushing with a nonabrasive denture cleanser to reduce levels of biofilm and potentially harmful bacteria and fungi. To do this, first remove the denture(s) from your mouth and rinse away any food particles. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a denture brush to clean all surfaces, including your gums and the upper part of your mouth (palette). And take your time when cleaning them, dropping them just a few inches onto a hard surface can easily chip or crack your dentures. You might want to fill your sink with water first, if you drop your dentures the water will cushion their fall.
Use denture cleaners – As noted above, standard toothpaste, especially whitening toothpaste, and medium-to-hard toothbrushes are too abrasive for dentures. Use products that are made for denture care. Commercial denture cleaning tablets or solutions are specifically designed to remove stains and keep dentures clean. Denture-cleansing creams, pastes or gels should be brushed on the denture after it is removed from the mouth and then rinsed off according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use denture cleansers while dentures are still in your mouth.
Soak your dentures – if you have removable dentures, your dentist will almost certainly advise you to remove them at night. Soaking your dentures overnight in a mild soaking solution helps keep them clean, bright, and odor-free. You can also soak your dentures in an effervescent cleaner (typically in tablet form, you drop a tablet into warm water (never hot or boiling water – your dentures can get warped if exposed to hot water) let it fizz until the tablet dissolves and then add your dentures to the container) for about 15 minutes at least once a week.
Rinse dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth, the chemicals that clean your dentures are not safe for consumption and can cause digestive problems and irritate your gums and throat if swallowed.
Get regular dental check-ups – Regular visits to your dentist are crucial for maintaining the health and appearance of your dentures. Your dentist can professionally clean and assess your dentures, as well as checking that your gums and any remaining teeth are healthy.
Again, as noted above, please check with your dentist on the best way to maintain your dentures, and follow their guidance.
Denture Maintenance
Dentures will naturally undergo wear and tear over time. To maintain their whiteness and appearance over the years, it’s important to:
- Stick to a consistent denture cleaning routine, including daily brushing and regular soaking using approved denture cleaning solutions.
- Limit consumption of stain-causing substances such as coffee, tea, and tobacco. If you do indulge, make sure to clean your dentures thoroughly afterward.
- When not in use, keep your dentures in a watertight, protective case, and keep them moist to prevent them from drying out and becoming more susceptible to staining. You can add plain water, or a denture soak meant for overnight use to the case.
Denture Replacement
Stains and discoloring are rarely reasons to replace your denture, your dentist can usually perform professional whitening treatments to remove stubborn stains or discoloring. But, if you’re not seeing a dentist regularly, you should schedule a check-up if you notice that your gums are irritated, you can’t keep dentures in your mouth without frequent reapplications of denture adhesives or your dentures hurt.
Though you may need adjustments to your dentures every 3-5 years, the average life expectancy of a denture is 7-10 years. The denture itself is likely to last considerably longer than this, but the shape of your mouth/jawbone will change. Dentures that don’t fit can’t help you chew properly, can cause irritation to your gums, may slip out of position easily, and may not look natural. You may need an entirely new set of dentures, or your dentist may be able to do a “reline” on your denture to make it fit properly again.
Affordable denture care
Whitening treatments, along with other types of cosmetic dental care, are rarely covered by insurance. Dental implants, for example, may be recommended by your dentist to help stabilize your dentures, but are usually not covered by insurance since they are considered cosmetic.
Dental saving plans, a trusted alternative to dental insurance, are often the most effective way to save on your denture care needs. They provide savings on virtually all dental procedures, from preventive and restorative care to cosmetic treatments and more. They do not have annual limits on how much you can save, and even offer savings on procedures to treat longstanding dental problems. Plan members report an average savings of 50%* on their dental care.
You can easily explore your savings options at DentalPlans.com, the largest dental plan marketplace for both dental savings plans and insurance, with more than 25 plans from the most trusted brands in healthcare.
We make it easy to find the plan that fits your unique needs. Call us at 1-833-735-0399 with any questions or to receive a personalized plan recommendation today.
Want to find out right now how much you can save at the dentist with a dental savings plan? Use the calculator below for a quick look.
*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.
All cost averages obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool, and independent research.