Dentures can be a versatile and cost-effective way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss. Your dentist can provide a lifelike restoration to enhance your smile’s appearance and function regardless of how many teeth went missing.
But if you’ve had your prosthetics for a few years and they’re starting to look dark or dirty, you might wonder whether the artificial teeth can be lightened with topical treatments like natural enamel often can. Continue reading to learn more about why standard teeth whitening isn’t effective on dentures as well as how you can help preserve a brighter shade!
What Causes Dentures to Stain?
Before diving into what might stain your dentures, it’s important to establish what they’re made from. Typically, these restorations consist of an acrylic, gum-colored base. This is set with the required number of pontics (artificial teeth), which are usually made from customizable ceramic, such as porcelain. This resilient material is less porous than enamel and therefore is less likely to stain.
However, that doesn’t mean your prosthetics are invincible. Exposing them repeatedly or frequently to darkly tinted foods and drinks or neglecting their hygiene can eventually result in discoloration. Common culprits include coffee, tea, berries, tomatoes, sodas, and wine.
Can Dentures Be Bleached?
Many dentists offer professional teeth whitening solutions to help improve the tone of your enamel if it has been stained. For instance, they might offer take-home kits with ultra-concentrated bleaches designed to reduce potential sensitivity, along with custom-fitted applicator trays for more comfortable and reliable outcomes.
But, unfortunately, these options aren’t usually effective when it comes to dentures because they don’t respond to bleach like enamel does. In fact, there’s a chance that applying the harsh chemical could damage the materials your replacement teeth are made from.
How Can I Whiten My Dentures?
Thankfully, there are a few ways you can potentially improve the shade of your replacement teeth, such as:
- Rinsing them after meals. Holding them under gently running water after eating can help remove pigmented particles that might otherwise cling to their surface until their next cleaning.
- Maintaining a routine. You should remove them morning and night to scrub all sides with a soft-bristle tooth and clear dish soap that won’t abrade the materials.
- Soaking them overnight. You can place them in a glass of room-temperature water or a special denture solution designed to help remove germs to keep them clean while maintaining their shape when they’re not in your mouth.
- Avoiding darkly toned foods. Limiting your consumption of deeply shaded foods and drinks can prevent discoloration in the first place.
- Scheduling routine checkups. Seeing your dentist every six months for a standard appointment allows them to monitor your dental health as well as professionally clean your prosthetics to help preserve them.
If you have additional questions about keeping your restoration looking clean and bright, you can learn more by contacting your dentist’s office!
About the Practice
Patients at Mauck & Ricci, DDS benefit from two accomplished dentists who share decades of combined experience. Dr. Mauch and Dr. Ricci collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including providing realistic replacement teeth, to meet the unique needs of people of all ages. Their attention to detail is combined with advanced technology to deliver more comfortable and accurate treatment results that are intended to last. If you’re concerned about the condition of your dentures, you can request an appointment on the website or call (303) 745-1400.