Does Your Grandad Want You To Clean His Dentures? A Guide on How To Do It
Posted on: 11 July 2016
If you take care of a grandparent, whether it be one living with you or one that you're asked to help out with from time to time, the rewards for your good deeds are obvious when you see a smile on your grandparent's face. However, some tasks are more fun than others, and being asked to clean anything that belongs to a grandparent is probably on the bottom of your list of tasks to perform. However, if it's dentures you've been asked to clean, try not to worry. Read on for some tips on how to clean the dentures and earn yourself some brownie points at the same time!
To clean
Don't worry about traditional dental cleaning pastes unless your grandparent already owns one. These pastes are expensive, and you can make your own cleaner at home with some dish soap; just make sure you go for one that has anti-bacterial cleaning properties (most do!) Don't make the mistake of using toothpaste; dentures are too soft to deal with something as abrasive as toothpaste, and you could end up creating micro-scratches on the surface of the dentures, which provide a perfect living spot for bacteria. Bacteria can, in turn, cause unpleasant smells and lead to discolouration.
To use, just put a bit on a soft toothbrush or nail brush, gently brush the dentures and rinse them well with warm water once you're done. Place a towel in the sink bowl before you brush them; that way, if you drop the dentures you won't have to deal with a breakage!
Some things to consider
- If you fancy a less hands-on approach (and who can blame you!) consider getting an ultrasonic cleaner. This small device gives a more effective cleanse than just using a brush and water, according to a 2011 study; this is probably due to the fact that it cleans in hard-to-reach crevices that a brush can't reach.
- Remind your grandparent to remove his or her dentures every night. Dentures are not meant to be worn 24/7 -- the palate and gums need a chance to breathe and be cleaned by the saliva, and overnight is a perfect time for this to happen. As well as this, removing the dentures will take pressure off the bones and soft tissue, meaning they will stay healthier for longer.
- After you've cleaned the dentures, put them in a safe place, whether that be giving them back to the wearer or popping them in some denture-cleaning solution overnight. This is especially important if you have young children or pets in the house, as both like to put things that they shouldn't in their mouth.