Denture Stains: How To Remove Stains On Dentures

Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by Jade

Although dentures are made from acrylic or composite material, over time, they can stain or become discolored. This is one of the things that makes false teeth similar to natural teeth. But knowing how to remove stains on dentures is important since the methods involved can differ from natural teeth.

Both can be cleaned professionally, with the assistance of tooth whitening products, or at home with a little extra effort.

In this article, we will explore your best options on how to remove stains on dentures.

What Causes Brown Stains On Dentures?

There are just a few potential sources that can lead to the staining of dentures. One is the foods you eat or liquids you drink, and the other is products that come in contact with your mouth.

Foods and beverages that are commonly known to stain false teeth include red wine, coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks. Other foods that can discolor dentures include berries, tomato-based sauces, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar.

The final category of products you use that can stain false teeth includes tobacco items.

All these sources are what can cause brown stains on dentures. However, the good news is that denture stains can be cleaned.

How To Remove Food Stains From Dentures

Before we explain the steps required to remove common food and beverage stains from dentures, it is important to note that time is important in this situation. The longer the staining food products remain in contact with your false teeth, the greater the odds that they will cause staining.

Remember, coffee, tomato-based sauces, balsamic vinegar, and other staining foods have an acidic content. The longer this interacts with the surface of your false teeth, the more damage can be done. This is why we point out that time is such an important factor in the development of denture stains.

Step #1 – Remove Your Dentures

As soon as you have completed the meal that contained potential denture staining sources, remove your false teeth. Put them under running water to rinse off any film that may remain attached to the dentures. To prevent your false teeth from slipping and breaking or cracking in the sink, fill it first with water to produce a cushion for landing if dropped.

Step #2 – Brush Your Dentures

Once you have given your dentures a good rinse, brush them. You should be brushing your false teeth at least daily with a moistened soft-bristled toothbrush or denture toothbrush. Use only a denture cleanser and not a normal toothpaste. Ordinary toothpaste contains abrasive material that can scratch and damage dentures.

Step #3 – Soak Your Dentures

The final step in the process to remove food or beverage stains from dentures is to soak them overnight. The soaking solution should be a denture stain remover. You can purchase commercial-made solutions or improvise. Homemade options that work well include vinegar, baking soda, or denture bleach.

How To Remove Tobacco Stains From False Teeth

Denture stains resulting from smoking are far more difficult to remove than stains that are caused by foods. That is because smoking stains take longer to develop and permit tobacco to be in contact with dentures longer. This allows smoke to settle on the denture material.

The most effective way to remove tobacco stains from dentures is to soak them nightly in a denture stain remover. What this does is prevents the tobacco staining from continuing to discolor your false teeth. But you have to start the process early in your smoking routine.

Avoid Using These Denture Stain Remover Methods

There are many different types of methods that have surfaced to assist with removing denture stains. The ones noted above are the most reliable. The list below outlines several stain removal methods you should avoid as they will cause your false teeth more damage than assistance.

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

As promising as this product may sound, the downside is that this type of toothpaste contains chemicals that are too abrasive for the material dentures are made of and can damage them.

Medium or Hard Bristled Toothbrushes

Believe it or not, the material used to stiffen toothbrushes to medium or hard bristle levels is also too abrasive for dentures. Abrasives scratch dentures but soft-bristled brushes are safe to use.

Hot Water

You would think that hot water would be effective in removing stains and food particles. However, the heat from the water can warp dentures bending them out of shape to where they cannot be worn properly.

Follow A Daily Cleaning Routine

Do dentures stain? Of course, they do. However, you can prevent this from happening by simply adopting a good oral hygiene routine. Just as you would have regularly brushed your natural teeth at least twice daily, it is a good idea to clean your false teeth at least once per day, but after each meal is even better.

The best cleaning routine is as follows:

Step #1 – Remove Your Dentures

Take your false teeth out of your mouth and rinse them under warm or cold running water. This helps to rid them of loose food particles.

Step #2 – Use A Soft Toothbrush

Gently brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be sure to use a denture paste that is recommended for cleaning false teeth as regular toothpaste contains abrasives.

Step #3 – Soak Your Dentures

Use a denture cleaning solution or water and soak your dentures overnight. This serves two purposes. It keeps them clean and prevents them from drying out which could cause warping.

Step #4 – Rinse Each Morning

Before you put your dentures in your mouth in the morning, rinse them thoroughly under running water. This removes any cleaning solution or film that may develop overnight.

Step #5 – Repeat The Procedure

To keep your dentures looking their best, follow these denture cleaning steps each day.

In Conclusion

Do dentures stain? Yes… However, if you take proper precautions, you can reduce the amount of staining that may occur. Plus, by maintaining a proper cleaning schedule, you can ensure that your false teeth will look as good as when you first put them in your mouth.

Regular cleaning and knowing how to remove stains on dentures is not hard, nor does it take a lot of time. You just have to be dedicated and the better you care for your dentures, the longer they will serve you.