Keeping your dentures and bridges clean for healthy teeth and gums.

Denture and bridge cleaning

Why is cleaning important?

Just like natural teeth, dentures and bridges collect bits of food, plaque (a sticky deposit, mostly made up of bacteria) and tartar (hardened plaque). By keeping them clean, you can stop decay in any remaining natural teeth and help prevent gum disease (which can lead to tooth loss). It’s also good for your comfort and appearance to clean dentures, as dirty dentures can make your mouth swollen and sore. Cleaning a denture is quite easy because, of course, you can take it out of your mouth. Cleaning all around and underneath a fixed bridge is harder. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how to do it.

What are the benefits?

By keeping a denture or a bridge clean, you help keep your gums and teeth healthy and avoid bad breath. People who wear dentures sometimes get an infection called oral thrush. Thrush is more likely if you wear a denture all the time. Good denture hygiene is important for preventing oral thrush.

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How do I look after a denture?

  • Clean the denture over a basin of water so that it does not break if you drop it.
  • Brush the denture inside and out every day. Use a soft-to-medium brush so that you do not scratch the denture. Use your normal toothpaste, or soap and water. Then rinse the denture.
  • Ask your dentist about denture-soaking solutions. Soaking a denture will not clean it. You may also need to brush it. Rinse the denture before you put it back in your mouth.
  • Ideally, dentures should be left out of the mouth for at least four to six hours, preferably eight hours, every twenty-four hours. However, if you find this impractical or embarrassing, you should make sure you clean your dentures by brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Keep a denture in a denture-soaking solution when you are not wearing it. These solutions are mild disinfectants available at all chemists’ shops.
Denture and bridge cleaning

How do I clean a bridge?

How you clean will depend on where the bridge is in the mouth and its design. As well as normal brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at each end of the bridge, you need to keep the bridge clean underneath. You might use:

  • Floss with a threader or a special floss with a stiff end, which you can poke underneath the bridge and pull through.
  • ‘Bottle brushes’ (your dentist will tell you what size and shape to buy).
  • Water jets – sending a stream of water underneath the bridge.
Denture and bridge cleaning

Reviews

Trusted by our patients

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“Anna has been my Hygienist since she started working at the Manor Dental Practice and has always achieved the highest standards in looking after my dental hygiene. Anna is a very talented, intelligent and happy…”

Mr Williams

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“What a wonderful team! They provide a comfortable environment, are personable and incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”

Kate S

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“I have recently moved to the area and needed emergency dental treatment. On the recommendation of my new neighbours, I went to Manor Dental Practice. Gloria, the receptionist, was incredibly helpful, and I was seen…”

Judith M

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“Recently transferred across to this practice and have been super impressed with the team. I've had a check-up and hygienist this far, and the service has been the best I've experienced. Great advice and support…”

Ross C

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“Friendly, professional service. Full explanation of work was given, very gentle treatment and a great, friendly dental team. Highly recommended.”

Karen H

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“I would like to highly commend this practice. I have been to some pretty dreadful dentists over the years, and this practice is a refreshing change. Everyone there (without exception) is always (without exception) friendly…”

Sharon H

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“In Bath on a visit and needed to attend an emergency appointment for my family member. We were treated with kindness and professionalism by all members of staff from the call through to payment. Excellent…”

Allison A

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“Cracked half of my filling and decided to register and get treatment with Manor Dental. X-rays and a scan of my teeth were taken professionally. Decided to have a filling without injections and virtually pain-free.…”

Julie D

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“Had an emergency appointment for a broken front tooth. It was seen that morning, and the tooth was repaired. Faultless service and care. Highly recommend.”

Brett P

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“A very friendly and helpful dental practice that I would highly recommend! Have had regular check-ups and remedial works carried out that I have been extremely happy with - and no pain at all! Also,…”

Andy W

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“Anna has been my Hygienist since she started working at the Manor Dental Practice and has always achieved the highest…”

Mr Williams

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“What a wonderful team! They provide a comfortable environment, are personable and incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”

Kate S

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“I have recently moved to the area and needed emergency dental treatment. On the recommendation of my new neighbours, I…”

Judith M

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Recently transferred across to this practice and have been super impressed with the team. I've had a check-up and hygienist…”

Ross C

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Friendly, professional service. Full explanation of work was given, very gentle treatment and a great, friendly dental team. Highly recommended.”

Karen H

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“I would like to highly commend this practice. I have been to some pretty dreadful dentists over the years, and…”

Sharon H

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“In Bath on a visit and needed to attend an emergency appointment for my family member. We were treated with…”

Allison A

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Cracked half of my filling and decided to register and get treatment with Manor Dental. X-rays and a scan of…”

Julie D

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Had an emergency appointment for a broken front tooth. It was seen that morning, and the tooth was repaired. Faultless…”

Brett P

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“A very friendly and helpful dental practice that I would highly recommend! Have had regular check-ups and remedial works carried…”

Andy W

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