{"id":207,"date":"2024-11-21T11:16:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T11:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/?p=207"},"modified":"2025-01-02T23:17:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T23:17:05","slug":"can-you-brush-dentures-in-your-mouth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/21\/can-you-brush-dentures-in-your-mouth\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Clean: Can You Brush Dentures in Your Mouth?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_6130425__1___1735857124_20318.jpg\" alt=\"Full dentures sitting next to a soft-bristled toothbrush\" class=\"wp-image-208\" style=\"width:339px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_6130425__1___1735857124_20318.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_6130425__1___1735857124_20318-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_6130425__1___1735857124_20318-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Compared to earlier kinds, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/dentures.html\">today\u2019s modern dentures<\/a> tend to look very lifelike. Many folks can\u2019t even tell them apart from a patient\u2019s natural smile! Still, these facts don\u2019t mean you should brush dentures in your mouth like regular teeth. This habit wouldn\u2019t do enough to protect and preserve your oral health over time, as only relying on it can cause dental issues. Learn more about the matter in this informative summary from your local Wheaton dentist!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-Mouth Brushing: It Isn\u2019t Enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Honestly, it\u2019s okay to brush dentures \u2013 whether partial, full, etc. \u2013 while they\u2019re in your mouth. Doing so won\u2019t (or at least shouldn\u2019t) do any damage to your new replacement teeth. That said, this habit alone won\u2019t do enough to protect your smile over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You see, in-mouth brushing only removes a little plaque and debris. That\u2019s because your toothbrush can\u2019t reach all the areas that need thorough cleaning; your oral tissues will get in the way. Given this reality, only brushing dentures in your mouth will lead to oral issues. It\u2019d put you at a much higher risk of gum disease, bad breath (halitosis), dry mouth, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, brushing dentures outside of your mouth is much more effective. It allows you to reach all parts of your restorations to remove harmful bacteria. Granted, you\u2019d have to remember to only use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a special cleansing paste. Stiff bristles and regular toothpaste are abrasive and could greatly damage your dentures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Properly Clean Dentures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of brushing outside the mouth, other great denture-cleaning tips include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exercise Caution <\/strong>\u2013 If you clean your dentures while holding them, make sure they\u2019re set above water or a towel. This method ensures the prosthetics won\u2019t break if they fall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brush Your Whole Mouth <\/strong>\u2013 Rather than just brush the dentures themselves, remember to clean your whole mouth. Brushing your gums, tongue, and palate daily will reduce the level of bacteria that could cause problems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider Using Vinegar <\/strong>\u2013 To remove tartar clinging to your dentures, soak the prosthetics in a vinegar mixture. Just make sure to dilute the solution first; make it one part vinegar to four parts water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soak Dentures Nightly <\/strong>\u2013 If you want your dentures to stay moist while you sleep, remove them nightly and soak them in a glass of water or a branded solution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can brush dentures in your mouth but don\u2019t simply focus on that. Remember to look after your whole smile so your new teeth last long!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/meet-your-dentist.html\">Dr. Kathy Lam<\/a> is a qualified dentist based in Wheaton, IL, having earned her DDS from Howard University College of Dentistry. She\u2019s highly skilled in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental work, so patients of all ages can trust her care. Rest assured that her treatments can quickly make any smile healthy and thriving! Today, Dr. Lam practices at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/\">her self-titled clinic<\/a> and is reachable on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/contact.html\">her website<\/a> and by phone at <strong>(630)-653-7720<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Compared to earlier kinds, today\u2019s modern dentures tend to look very lifelike. Many folks can\u2019t even tell them apart from a patient\u2019s natural smile! Still, these facts don\u2019t mean you should brush dentures in your mouth like regular teeth. This habit wouldn\u2019t do enough to protect and preserve your oral health over time, as only [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":211,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207\/revisions\/211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kathylamdds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}