Partial or Full Dentures are a great way to restore your smile, but they can start to look a bit worse for wear over time, dull, yellow or stained. Drinking coffee, tea or wine, smoking or eating dark foods all take their toll.
But can you actually whiten dentures? Unfortunately, not in the same way you whiten your natural teeth. The problem is they don’t have the same enamel as your natural teeth, so whitening strips, gels and bleaching treatments just don’t do the trick. The goal is actually to keep them stain-free and get them professionally cleaned when you need to.
The Truth About Denture Whitening Services
The thing is, you can’t whiten dentures in the same way as you do your natural teeth because they are made of materials like acrylic or porcelain, not enamel. Whitening products for your natural teeth won’t change the underlying colour of your dentures, but what they will do is help clean away surface stains from things like coffee, tea, tobacco and other nasty stuff. It’s worth remembering the difference between whitening and cleaning: cleaning may help remove stains from the surface, but it’s not going to make your old dentures any lighter.
Why Whitening Strips and Gels Won’t Work
Whitening strips and gels are really designed for natural teeth, so they just aren’t going to work on dentures. The materials they’re made of don’t respond the same way to bleach as your natural teeth do; in some cases, they may not even make any difference at all and could even irritate your gums or damage the denture surface. This is why it’s usually best to use cleaning products specifically designed for dentures.
Getting A Professional Denture Cleaning Doesn’t Mean a Change In Color.
Regular safe cleaning can help remove surface stains from your dentures. This is all about rinsing and gently brushing with a soft-bristle brush and soaking in a denture cleanser according to the instructions.
However, cleaning can’t change the underlying colour of the denture; if they were made in a darker colour to start with, that’s how they’ll stay. If they are old and scratched, then stains are more likely to sit deeper in the surface.
In those cases, a dentist will be able to advise whether a professional clean, polish, adjustment, or even replacement would be the best option for you.
Using A Denture Solution to Keep Your Dentures Looking Like Natural Teeth
The safest way to keep your stained dentures looking their best is to clean them gently and regularly. Rinsing after meals, brushing with a soft denture brush and using a denture cleanser as directed are all good ideas. Don’t scrub too hard, as you can damage the denture surface, which will just hold onto more stains in the future.
Soaking in a 3% hydrogen peroxide denture cleaner solution can also help lift stains and discolouration, but always follow the product instructions, as some dentures have special materials that need special care.
What Not to Use on Dentures
One thing you should definitely not do is use household bleach to try to whiten your dentures; it can damage the material and cause irritation to your mouth. And while we’re on the subject, don’t use hot water as it can warp your dentures and make them uncomfortable to wear.
Also, be careful with regular toothpaste and hard brushes, as these can scratch the surface of your dentures, making it more likely for stains to collect.
When to Get A Professional Cleaning
If cleaning doesn’t work or if your dentures have any of the following problems, an unpleasant odour, cracks, discomfort, looseness or worn-out teeth, it’s time to get a dentist involved. A dentist can check whether a professional cleaning, polish, adjustment or even replacement is needed.
Dental Solutions Algodones: A Practical Option For US and Canadian Patients For Denture Care in Los Algodones
For patients from the US and Canada, DSA in Los Algodones can be a really great and practical destination for denture care and replacement dentures. Los Algodones has the advantage of being a quick and easy border crossing with focused appointments and significant savings compared to what you’d pay in the States.
When It’s Time To See A Professional Denture Specialist, Reach Out To Us.
If your dentures are getting a bit wobbly, worn out, chipped, don’t feel right, have some stubborn stains on them, or just don’t match the smile you want, then it’s probably a good idea to get a consultation going.
Before you travel, our Free Virtual Diagnostic can get the process started. That way, you can get some idea what might work for your dentures, what it might cost, and whether a new treatment plan is really the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dentures Be Whiter Again?
A bit of TLC or a trip to a pro should sort out surface stains, but it’s probably not possible to get the real shade back with whitening products.
Can You Use Teeth Whitening Strips on Dentures?
Not really. They’re made for real teeth, not dentures.
What About Bleach?
No, don’t even think about it. Household bleach can damage dentures and give you a sore mouth, baking soda is often mentioned too, but its use is not recommended due to it’s abrassive qualities.
When is it Time to Get New False Teeth Instead of Cleaning Them?
If they’re cracked, loose, looking a bit worn, a bit uncomfortable, or still have those deep stains on them after all the cleaning in the world, then it’s probably time to get some new ones.
Get Your Free Quote and see what’ll work best for your smile.