Keeping the dentures clean and disinfected is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene. The mouth is covered in bacteria that can proliferate on your dentures without effort. Although these bacteria can't cause cavities on the acrylic teeth, they are perfectly capable of causing other diseases.
Furthermore, dentists usually recommend their patients soak their dentures overnight as it helps keep them clean.
Knowing this, people tend to ask frequent questions, such as "Can I soak my dentures in mouthwash overnight to clean them better?"
In this article, we'll talk about soaking your dentures in mouthwash overnight and other details you should know.
Can Mouthwash Damage Dentures?
While mouthwash is an excellent element to help keep your mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria, it can damage your denture. Therefore, it is not recommended to soak your dentures in mouthwash overnight.
The reason why is that most mouthwashes contain alcohol and other elements in their formula. Although this provides them with antibacterial properties, it has a negative effect on dentures.
Dentures' acrylic is susceptible to these substances, as they can change their physical properties. Therefore, damaging the acrylic base.
Why Soak Your Dentures Overnight?
Here's why you need to soak your dentures overnight:
Prevents Warping and Drying
Dentures need moisture to keep their shape. Failing to soak them and leaving them out overnight will cause them to dry out, become brittle, and crack or warp.
Removes Bacteria and Plaque
Like natural teeth, dentures accumulate plaque and bacteria. Soaking removes debris and reduces the chance of infection, bad breath, and gum irritation.
Gives Your Gums a Break
Wearing dentures 24/7 can put pressure on your gums, leading to soreness and discomfort. Removing them at night allows your gums time to recover, leading to better overall oral health.
Prevents Odors and Staining
Soaking dentures in a cleanser loosens food particles and stains, freshens them, and prevents bad odors.
So, Can I Soak My Dentures in Mouthwash Overnight?
As much as you might want to soak your dentures overnight in mouthwash, it's not the best option. Mouthwash contains alcohol and other ingredients that are too harsh on denture material and will crack, warp, or discolor it over time. There are some alcohol-free mouthwashes that are gentler, but they're not meant for long-term soaking either.
If you want to give your dentures a freshen-up, you can rinse them temporarily with mouthwash, but for soaking overnight, you're best off with a denture cleaning solution or with water. That will keep them clean without damaging them.
Pros and Cons of Soaking Dentures in Mouthwash
Pros:
- Freshens Breath: Mouthwash leaves your dentures with a cool, minty feeling, which helps fight bad breath once they are returned to the mouth.
- Kills Surface Bacteria: Most mouthwashes are antibacterial and reduce harmful bacteria on the denture surface, lowering infection risk.
- Convenience: Mouthwash is easy and quick to use, especially if you don't have a special denture-cleansing solution.
- Stain Prevention: Some mouthwashes contain whitening properties that will help reduce minor stains on your dentures.
Cons:
- Material Damage: The majority of mouthwashes are alcohol-based, and alcohol will dry out and damage denture materials over time. This will lead to warping or cracking and will undermine the fit and comfort.
- Not a Deep Cleaner: The mouthwash will freshen and disinfect the surface, but not remove all of the plaque or tartar. Dentures need to be brushed with a brush and the right solutions for total hygiene.
- Chemical Irritation: Strong mouthwashes, especially those that have strong chemicals, will irritate your gums when you put the dentures back in, especially if not rinsed out completely beforehand.
- Color Fading: Some mouthwashes can cause discoloration or fading, especially if your dentures have any soft linings or coatings.
What to Use to Soak Dentures?
The following are some safe and effective choices:
- Denture Cleaning Solutions: They are especially created for dentures and help to eliminate stains, bacteria, and plaque. They’re the perfect choice for making your dentures clean and fresh.
- Warm Water: As a last resort, plain warm water is acceptable to keep dentures moist and prevent them from drying out and deforming. Make sure it isn’t hot, though, since heat will damage the material.
- Vinegar Solution: Half water and half white vinegar solution can be used to soak off mineral deposits from dentures. This is especially useful if you have hard water stains.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution: It is antibacterial and is used to disinfect dentures. You can use a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. It is, however, not for everyday use.
- Non-Alcoholic Mouthwash: If you prefer a minty fresh feel, non-alcoholic mouthwash is perfect. It controls bacteria without damaging denture materials.
What Is Best to Soak Dentures in Overnight?
Different solutions can be used to soak your dentures. However, the best alternatives are clean water or a denture cleanser solution.
Mild denture cleansers are a great alternative since they offer special protection by helping reduce the number of bacteria and fungi. Therefore, helping prevent diseases. However, it is vital to follow the usage instructions of the denture cleanser solution.
Dentists recommend removing the dentures at night and soaking them in a liquid to help keep them clean. Moreover, keeping them moist prevents them from suffering shape modifications that could occur due to drying out. Although these changes are minuscule, they can make the denture uncomfortable to wear.
How Long Can You Leave Dentures Soaking?
The time is determined by the liquid or solution you decide to use.
Water is totally safe and can be used to soak the dentures overnight without a problem.
Denture cleansers usually come with instructions about their usage and the amount of time a denture can be soaked.
Some cleansers are too strong. As a result, manufacturers advise the users not to soak the dentures for prolonged periods. In these cases, it is possible to wash the denture for the time recommended by the product and then move it to a water container to be left overnight.
Lastly, if you use a product with sodium hypochlorite, it is highly advised not to soak the denture for more than 10 minutes. The chemical properties of sodium hypochlorite can damage the denture.
While mouthwash might seem like a great solution to soak dentures overnight and keep them clean, it can damage the acrylic base and cause more harm than good. Therefore, the best options to soak the denture are clean water and denture cleansers. However, following the product instructions is essential when using a cleanser to prevent damage.
How to Soak Dentures Safely
To maintain your dentures in a healthy state and your mouth as well, follow these simple steps to soak them safely:
- Clean Before Soaking: Rinse dentures under running water to remove food particles. If required, use a soft brush to wipe off visible debris.
- Use the Right Solution: Choose a denture cleaner or a safe alternative like warm water or vinegar. Never use bleach or hot water, as these will damage your dentures.
- Fully Submerge: Make sure your dentures are completely covered by the soaking solution.
- Soak Overnight: Let your dentures soak for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. This will remove bacteria and make them fresh for the next day.
- Handle with Care: Dentures can be delicate. Always handle them with care, and consider putting a towel in the sink when cleaning to catch any accidental drops.
How Long Should I Soak My Dentures?
Dentures should be soaked for at least 6 to 8 hours or overnight so that they are clean and moist. This will allow the cleaning solution to effectively eliminate bacteria, plaque, and stains. Soaking overnight also prevents them from drying out, causing warping or cracking. Avoid soaking them for too long, however—especially in concentrated solutions—as this will damage the materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to prioritize proper denture care and maintenance to ensure optimal oral hygiene and avoid complications. While mouthwash may seem like an appealing option for soaking dentures overnight, it is crucial to understand that its alcohol content and other ingredients can damage the acrylic base of the dentures. Instead, opting for clean water or denture cleansers is a safer and more effective choice for maintaining the cleanliness and longevity of your dentures.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using denture cleansers, and be cautious not to soak the dentures for prolonged periods if the cleanser is too strong or contains sodium hypochlorite. Removing dentures at night and keeping them moist by soaking them in the appropriate solution not only helps to keep them clean but also prevents potential shape modifications that could lead to discomfort while wearing them.
Moreover, maintaining good oral hygiene practices is essential for those who wear dentures, and using a high-quality sonic electric toothbrush like Oclean can significantly contribute to better oral health. Oclean offers a range of advanced sonic electric toothbrushes that are designed to effectively clean your teeth, gums, and hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Visit the Oclean website to explore their product offerings and find the perfect toothbrush for your needs.