Dentures · Care
Denture care
Cleaning and caring for your dentures.
Dentures need different care from natural teeth — ordinary toothpaste is too abrasive. Here is how to keep them clean, fresh and long-lasting.
The best way to clean dentures
Don’t clean dentures like natural teeth — toothpaste is abrasive and wears down the false teeth and gums. Instead, use a special denture brush with soap and warm water; washing-up liquid is ideal.
Daily cleaning
Rinse dentures under the tap after eating, and clean them with a denture brush, soap and water before bed. Don’t wear them overnight — it can lead to denture-related oral thrush. Instead, keep them in a pot of water after cleaning at night.
Ultrasonic cleaning
If a denture brush is difficult for you, soak the denture in an ultrasonic cleaner for 5–10 minutes, until it looks clean.
Disinfecting your dentures
For disinfection — for example after oral thrush — soak dentures in a hypochlorite-based cleaner or a chlorhexidine mouthwash:
- Hypochlorite cleaner (e.g. Milton diluted with 4 parts water): all-plastic dentures for 15 minutes; dentures with metal parts for only 10 minutes.
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash: soak for at least 15 minutes.
- Avoid acid-based cleaners (such as Steradent) for dentures with metal parts.
A denture bath & brush (around £7.50) covers daily care; an ultrasonic cleaner (around £46) helps if brushing is hard.
Text and further advice adapted from dentalchoices.org.
Watch
See how it’s done
A short film on cleaning dentures properly, and keeping them fresh.
Common questions
Denture care — your questions answered
Can I use toothpaste on my dentures?
No — it’s abrasive and wears them down. Use a denture brush with soap and warm water.
Should I wear my dentures overnight?
No — leave them out to avoid oral thrush, in a pot of water after cleaning.
How do I disinfect them?
Soak in diluted hypochlorite (10 min for metal, 15 for all-plastic) or chlorhexidine mouthwash for 15 minutes. Avoid acid cleaners on metal dentures.
What if I can’t manage a denture brush?
An ultrasonic cleaner will clean them in 5–10 minutes.
Keep your dentures fresh
A little daily care keeps dentures clean, comfortable and long-lasting.