Question from Susan
As an older couple, my husband and I both wear dentures, but are not satisfied with the two cleaning tablets available on the market. They are toxic, as they say on the box to “wash hand thoroughly after touching tablets”. They leave a terrible aftertaste even after rinsing many times. They also say to contact poison control if a child puts in mouth.
Is there a safer product or can I use baking soda and water as a soak? My dentist offered no help at all.
Many thanks if anyone has a remedy.
Debra’s Answer
Readers? What are you using?
Is the tea tree solution safe for partial dentures wirh metal.
I wear a night guard, and a lifesaver for me has been something called a Violight, which can be ordered from Hammacher Schlemmer. It is a device which you put your dentures or nightguard in, and press a button, and it does a combination of ultraviolet cleaning and sonic cleaning. It is the same technology that many jewellers are using to clean delicate jewellery, as it has powerful cleaning power with nothing to damage the item. I like to give my night guard the occasional gentle scrub with either baking soda or a super gentle safe toothpaste at times before I put it into the machine. With or without, it always comes out super fresh. Also, every once in a while, I add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the water in the machine before I run it (if you can tolerate it), and then rinse it afterwards. I have been using my machine for about 4 years. It may seem a bit pricey, but 4 years of denture tablets adds up, and I feel lucky everyday when I use it and don’t have to fight with any other way of cleaning!
I am a dental hygienist. My answer: Tea Tree Oil
The purpose of the soaking tablets is to aid in cleaning and to address the bacteria.
First I would recommend a good brushing with plain water after Every snack or meal to avoid buildup, remember that toothpaste can be too abrasive and create microscopic scratches that will harbor bacteria, odor and stain.
At night add a couple drops of tea tree oil to plain water for a soak. Tea tree is both Antibacterial and Anti Fungal! If you are prone to denture related fungal infections you might try this same formula as a mouth rinse morning and night.
Thanks.
Was wondering if tea tree oil soak would work for denture disinfecting-