What Should You Soak Dentures In?
Most people are aware that if you wear dentures, you should take them out every night and leave them soaking.
Commercials and television shows have shown this happening many times. While you may know you have to soak dentures, you may not know why you soak them and what to soak them in.
Why Soak Dentures
To figure out what to soak them in, you need to know what soaking accomplishes. There are two main goals that come from soaking dentures.
| • | Prevent drying out – Dentures are made from an acrylic material. They need to have moisture in them. Without the moisture, they can become brittle and they can warp. They get the moisture they need from the mouth when in place, but when they are out of the mouth, they need some source of moisture to keep them from drying out. |
| • | Cleaning – Bacteria and plaque can accumulate on the dentures. Discoloration can occur because of food, tobacco and other things a person does. Soaking them in some sort of cleaning solution is the best way to keep them looking bright and white. |
Soaking Options
There are many options for soaking dentures. Some things are ordinary items found in the home. There are also commercial soaking products available. Homemade solutions are often cheaper and just as effective as products found in the store.
Options for this include white vinegar, a combination of baking soda and peroxide, vodka and bleach. It is very important to rinse the dentures off completely after soaking them and before putting them back in the mouth.
Commercial products come in different forms. Liquid cleaners that you dilute with water and tablets dissolved in water are the most common products. The key to successful use of these products is to follow the directions completely. This will help you get the best results possible.
For more information about how to care for dentures, contact the professionals at our offices.