Denture Cleaning Supplies: HSA Eligibility

Eligible expenses for Limited FSAs can vary. To find out exactly what your Limited FSA covers, contact your FSA administrator.

How are dentures cleaned?

Denture wearers have to juggle a wealth of responsibilities to ensure that their full or partial dentures are properly maintained, but quite possibly the most important task is ensuring they are clean and ready for each use. Proper denture cleaning is vital for both the health of the dentures and the wearer's mouth, and establishing a regular cleaning regimen with denture cleaning supplies can prevent unnecessary spending on denture fixes and eliminate bacteria buildup.

While household cleaners could be used to clean dentures, most dentists and denturists recommend the use of over-the-counter cleaning supplies like foaming tabs, gels and brushes that are designed exclusively to clean dentures. The following cleaning steps are vital for denture wearers to maintain the overall hygiene of their false teeth (Mayo Clinic).

• Clean dentures after eating: An easy way to avoid future denture complications is to clean them after each meal under running water. This can help to remove any bits of food and other particles that may be trapped within the dentures. Next, use a soft brush or mouthwash to clean out the inside of one's mouth to eliminate any lingering bacteria with the dentures removed.
• Brush dentures daily: Daily cleaning of dentures with a denture brush and cleaning agents should be incorporated into a denture wearer's daily routine. Start by soaking the dentures in water and brushing them with a nonabrasive denture cleaner to eliminate food particles and bacteria. Never use toothpaste on dentures as many of these products can be abrasive and may cause damage to the surface of the dentures.
• Soak dentures overnight: After thoroughly cleaning the dentures, they should be placed in a glass of water overnight to soak. If dentures are allowed to dry out, they could warp and lose their shape, or completely lose their structural integrity. To avoid costly fixes or the purchase of replacement dentures, soak them overnight in cold water. Never use hot water as this can cause dentures to lose their original shape.
• Rinse dentures each morning: Denture cleaners are not meant to be ingested, so any trace of this material left on the dentures could cause health issues if they are swallowed. Denture wearers should get in the habit of rinsing their dentures each morning, especially if they are using denture-soaking cleaning solutions overnight.