Nearly everyone wants a bright, white smile — and denture wearers are no exception. Perhaps your prosthetic looked beautiful when you first received it, but after some time, you might have noticed the beginnings of discoloration. How can you reverse denture stains in East Hartford and prevent them from coming back? Read on below to learn about this important topic.
How Not to Whiten Dentures
First, you should understand what not to do when you are looking to whiten your dentures in East Hartford. Do not use any abrasive or extremely acidic substances. For example, you should not use a whitening toothpaste (or other at-home teeth whitening products), household cleaners, lemon juice, baking soda, or anything that includes chlorine. You should also not use extremely hot water while cleaning your denture. Such items could damage your prosthetic and/or expose your oral tissues to harmful substances.
How to Whiten Dentures
Here are a few safe and effective ways to address mild denture stains:
- Use a minimally abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to cleanse away surface stains.
- Soak your dentures overnight in a manufacturer-approved cleaning solution.
- Bring your prosthetic to your next dental appointment and ask to get it professionally cleaned. Your dental team has special products and knows all the right techniques to remove most stains.
Note that if the discoloration on your dentures is severe, you might need to get them replaced altogether. If that happens in your case, keep in mind that acrylic dentures tend to incur stains more easily than porcelain ones. That is because the acrylic has tiny pits that can collect pigments, whereas porcelain is nonporous, so pigments tend to simply slide off of it. It is worth asking your dentist if you are a candidate for porcelain dentures.
Preventing New Denture Stains
Here are some tips for reducing the occurrence of new stains on your dentures:
- Rinse your dentures frequently. This is especially important after you consume anything that is highly pigmented, such as coffee, black tea, red sauce, or berries. It would also be wise to limit your intake of such items.
- Stick to a thorough oral hygiene routine. You should thoroughly brush your prosthetic each night, and you should store it in a cleansing solution or water whenever you are not wearing it.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco. Cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco can expose your prosthetic to highly staining substances, causing it to take on an unsightly yellow appearance.
Do you want to enjoy a bright, stain-free smile? The above advice can help you to keep your prosthetic as clean and beautiful as possible.
Meet the Practice
The dentists and specialists at Comprehensive Dental Associates of Central Connecticut are proud to help patients with all of their oral health needs. We not only design and place high-quality dentures, but we can also help patients maintain their prosthetic teeth. If you have questions about tooth replacement or denture care, we are ready to speak with you. Contact us at 860-288-5786.