Cleaning of dentures with vinegar
introduction
The term dental prosthesis includes all devices that are manufactured to replace missing, natural teeth.
In general, the dentures used today are divided into two large groups, the fixed and the removable dentures.
While the group of fixed dentures includes fillings, bridges, partial and full crowns, partial and full dentures are included in the so-called removable dentures.
A partial denture is used to replace individual missing, natural teeth. It is fixed within the oral cavity with the help of clamps and arches and usually sits on the alveolar ridge without any major problems.
In contrast to this, a full denture is equipped with a large number of artificial teeth; it is usually made as soon as all teeth in a jaw (upper or lower jaw) have been lost. Both the production and the creation of an ideal hold within the oral cavity is much more complex with a full denture than with a partial denture. The hold of such a prosthesis is largely generated by so-called adhesion forces between the oral mucosa and the prosthesis material. Contrary to the widespread assumption that a full denture in the upper jaw, due to the force of gravity, has a much worse hold than in the lower jaw, the reality is different. Total prostheses of the upper jaw usually have a larger surface, which means that greater adhesive forces can be built up between the oral mucosa and the prosthesis material. In addition to the accuracy during the manufacture of the removable dentures, the hygienic handling of the device also plays a decisive role. Prostheses that are seldom cleaned and, for this reason, have heavy deposits, generally hardly find any hold on the alveolar ridge.
How do I clean dentures with vinegar?
In order to thoroughly clean removable dentures in the form of partial or full dentures, various aids are available to the user.
In general, denture cleaning should be done at least once a day, ideally in the evening.
After meals, it is usually sufficient to briefly remove the dentures and rinse out both the prosthesis and the oral cavity with a little water.
Before using preparations specially made for cleaning dentures, it is advisable to rinse the dentures with a little clear water immediately after removing them from the oral cavity. The first removal of loose deposits can then be carried out using an ordinary toothbrush with medium-strength bristles. The removable dentures should be cleaned thoroughly with the toothbrush and some toothpaste. It is then recommended to moisten the prosthesis again with a little clear water.
Most wearers swear by soaking the dentures overnight in a special denture cleaning solution. Suitable preparations are available in pharmacies and drugstores in the form of tablets for cleaning dentures or liquid solutions at a low price. Since these denture cleaning agents differ significantly from one another both in their application and in the required exposure time, the enclosed leaflet should be read carefully before the first use. If the location time is not reached, the removable denture may not be adequately cleaned, whereas exceeding the recommended exposure time can damage the plastic of the denture base.
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In addition to the industrially produced cleaning agents, denture cleaning can also be carried out with the help of vinegar or vinegar water. For the purpose of cleaning the denture with vinegar, 1/3 white household vinegar can be mixed with 2/3 water. In addition, some manufacturers already offer ready-made vinegar solutions for cleaning removable dentures. The fact that vinegar is suitable for cleaning dentures is due to the fact that the acidic vinegar can help to effectively loosen both soft and hardened deposits on the denture material. As a user, when using vinegar or vinegar water to clean the dentures, care should be taken that the removable dentures do not remain in the solution for too long. Failure to observe this can result in unsightly discolouration and / or defects in the area of the plastic base.
After cleaning the dentures with the help of vinegar or conventional cleaning tablets, the dentures should be scrubbed again with a toothbrush. This is the only way to ensure that all (now softened) deposits can be completely removed from the surface.
Denture cleaning with ultrasound
The denture can also be cleaned by the dentist or a dental technician using a professional denture cleaning service. First, the soft deposits are removed using an ultrasonic or eddy current device. As a result, tartar as well as contamination caused by nicotine or tea are removed by the device. The ultrasound effectively blasts off the plaque from the prosthesis. To do this, the prosthesis is placed in a water bath. This is set in vibration by the ultrasound and small pressure waves are created through which various deposits and tartar can be blasted off.
Read more on the topic: Denture cleaning device with ultrasound
Denture cleaning with baking soda
A tried and tested home remedy for cleaning the denture and removing discoloration is baking soda. It is available in every household and very inexpensive. To use it, you can dissolve half a sachet of baking powder in a glass of water and place the prosthesis in it for about an hour. If the discoloration is very stubborn, you can also apply a little baking soda to a toothbrush and use it to clean the relevant areas. However, it should not be forgotten that the baking soda acts like a kind of abrasive and can potentially damage the plastic. Baking soda should therefore not be used too often to clean the prosthesis in order to ensure that it lasts longer.
Alternative home remedies
Another tried and tested home remedy for cleaning the prosthesis, in addition to baking powder, is standard baking soda. You can stir half a sachet of baking soda in a glass of lukewarm water and soak the prosthesis in the liquid for about 1 hour. Furthermore, so-called dirt erasers from the drugstore are recommended for cleaning the prostheses. You can use this to carefully erase the discolored areas. In general, it is very important that the cleaning agents are not too aggressive in connection with the plastic.
Find out more about the topic: Denture cleaners
What should you watch out for with smokers?
The prostheses discolour very quickly, especially in smokers. The nicotine that is deposited causes yellow or brownish deposits to form, which subsequently no longer give a beautiful image of a prosthesis. Smokers in particular should therefore ensure that the prosthesis is cleaned regularly and thoroughly in order to avoid excessive contamination. On the one hand, there are various cleaning solutions or tablets that have been specially manufactured for cleaning contaminants caused by smoking. The dentist or a dental laboratory can also have the prosthesis professionally cleaned.
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