Which method is an appropriate way to clean dentures?

• A. Brush with liquid hand soap or dishwashing liquid or denture cleaning paste; avoid toothpaste; can soak overnight in cup of water or denture cleaner
• B. Brush with regular toothpaste
• C. Soak only in plain water
• D. Boil dentures daily

Answer: (A)

Cleaning dentures works best when you use a mild, nonabrasive cleaner and gentle brushing to remove debris without scratching or warping the material. The recommended method is to brush with liquid hand soap or dishwashing liquid or a denture cleaning paste because these are gentle on the denture material. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive and can scratch the surface, making it harder to clean and potentially harbor more bacteria in the grooves. After brushing, soaking the dentures overnight in a cup of water or in a denture cleaner helps keep them clean and maintain their fit. Soaking only in plain water doesn’t actively remove residue, and boiling dentures daily can warp them.