A denture used for a long time often collects plaque, yellow stains and an unpleasant smell. Cleaning it the right way keeps the denture lasting while protecting the gums and breath.
- A yellow, smelly denture usually has tartar that formed from plaque, where bacteria and fungus grow.
- Clean after meals with a soft brush, soak in clean water overnight and change the water daily.
- Do not soak in boiling water, use strong bleach or scrape off tartar with sharp tools.
- Hard tartar or a smell despite careful cleaning means you should bring the denture to a dentist.
Many people who have worn a denture for years find it stained yellow, with a hard layer stuck on the inside and an unpleasant smell, even though they clean it every day. That hard layer is tartar on the denture, and it is where bacteria and fungus grow.
Why does a denture stain and smell?
- Plaque that is not cleaned off properly hardens into tartar, just as on natural teeth.
- Denture acrylic has a microscopic surface that easily holds food, tea, coffee and bacteria.
- Soaking the denture incorrectly, or not changing the water often.
How to clean a denture properly
- Take the denture out and rinse it under running water after each meal to wash away food.
- Brush gently with a soft brush kept for the denture, with mild soap or a denture cleaner.
- Clean the inside, the clasps and the parts that touch the gums carefully.
- Soak the denture in clean water overnight and change the water each day. See whether to take a denture out when sleeping and how to store it overnight.
- Clean your gums, tongue and palate with a soft brush before putting the denture back in.
What not to do
- Do not soak or rinse in boiling water, since the acrylic can warp.
- Do not use strong bleach, as it can damage the denture and irritate the mouth.
- Do not scrub hard with a stiff brush or an abrasive toothpaste, which scratches the acrylic.
- Do not scrape off tartar yourself with sharp tools.
Read also how to care for a removable denture for older adults and what people with diabetes who wear dentures should know.
What if the tartar has hardened?
If hard tartar cannot be brushed off, bring the denture to a dentist to have it cleaned with suitable tools and to check whether it still fits.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first. If the mouth has a smell despite careful cleaning, or the gums under the denture are red and sore, let the dentist check.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a denture turn yellow?
Usually because plaque that is not cleaned thoroughly hardens into tartar, and food, tea and coffee stain the acrylic surface.
Can I soak a denture in hot water?
Not in boiling water, since the acrylic may warp. Soak it in plain clean water.
How should hard tartar on a denture be handled?
Do not scrape it off yourself. Bring the denture to a dentist to be cleaned with suitable tools.