Denture cleaners

introduction

Just like your own teeth, prostheses require constant cleaning, as they are surrounded by the same milieu like these. There are special cleaning agents for domestic use for cleaning prostheses. In addition to cleaning, they should also ensure effective germ reduction. The prerequisite, of course, is good compatibility with the prosthesis material. See also: Denture adhesive

Prosthetic materials

The removable prostheses are either full or partial prostheses. The Total or full dentures are usually made entirely of plastic and lie directly on the mucous membrane of the toothless jaw. The Partial dentures In addition to plastic, they are also provided with clips or other holding elements made of gold or other metal, which makes cleaning these areas more difficult.

This article might also interest you: Interim prosthesis

Brush and paste

The cleaning of dentures is possible as usual with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Special prosthesis brushes have been developed for this purpose. They have a larger bristle field that is adapted to the shape of a prosthesis. The special toothpastes are also adapted to the prostheses. For example, they do not contain fluoride, since they do not need to harden the enamel, of course, and abrasive particles are not used here, as these would roughen the surface of the prosthesis.

The care of the dentures with the brush should be carried out at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. However, in order to prevent the development of bad breath and to increase the accuracy of fit of the prosthesis, cleaning should be carried out after every meal.

For the purpose of cleaning the denture, the dentures must be completely removed from the oral cavity and rinsed under clear, lukewarm water. In this way, coarse, loose impurities can be removed. The prosthesis can then be gently scrubbed with the brush and some toothpaste.

In order to protect the material of the removable dentures, a brush with a medium bristle thickness should be selected for daily denture cleaning. It should also be noted that toothpastes with a high proportion of abrasive particles can cause permanent damage to the denture material. The so-called abrasion value, which must be noted on every toothpaste tube, provides information about the grinding value and thus the proportion of grinding particles. In order to prevent damage to the prosthesis material from the outset, toothpastes for cleaning third parties are offered by various manufacturers. These pastes have special cleaning bodies that gently remove deposits and gently polish the surface of the prosthesis. In this way, the cleaning of the prosthesis can be carried out in a particularly hygienic manner and the renewed growth of bacterial pathogens can be stopped.

Cleaning tablets

The cleaning tablets offer an easy cleaning option. The ingredients of these tablets are above all SurfactantsSoaps, in other words, reduce the surface tension of the water, which lifts the deposits off the prosthesis and keeps them in the solution. The effect of the surfactants is achieved through polyphosphates, which soften the water. The germicidal ingredients play an important role, as every prosthesis in the oral cavity is colonized with a wide variety of germs. The germs are killed by active oxygen, which is released from sodium peroxoborate. The solutions are usually alkaline, but there are also tablets that contain organic acids how citric acid or Tartaric acid create an acidic solution that can also reduce tartar - the effect is limited.

The bubble effect supports the chemical effect by mechanical detachment of the soft components.

Before using the cleaning tablets, the food residues should be removed with a soft brush. Cleaning powders are less common.

A distinction is made between quick cleaning tablets, which have a length of 10 to 20 minutes is sufficient and long-acting tablets where the prosthesis works best overnight for 6 to 8 hours should be in the solution. Once removed, the prostheses should be rinsed under clean water before they can be reinserted.

From a dental perspective, denture cleaners should meet the following criteria:

• Thorough cleaning
• Effective germ reduction
• No damage to the oral mucosa

However, the use of cleaning tablets can cause a colonization of the prosthesis with a fungus called Candida albicans not prevent. Such an infestation manifests itself in a deep red inflammation of the mucous membrane that is sharply restricted to the extent of the prosthesis. In the event of complaints or suspicion of a fungal infection, the dentist should be consulted. To combat this infection, the prosthesis must also be placed in a solution of chlorhexidine. At the same time, mouth rinsing with chlorhexidine is also necessary to avoid reinfection.

Read more on the subject at: Denture cleaning with tablets

Ultrasound equipment

The use of brushes, pastes and cleaning tablets removes the soft deposits and food residues, but this only applies to a very limited extent to tartar. This can only be removed by using ultrasonic devices /. It is a cleaning bath made of water and soap in which the prostheses are placed. The ultrasound generates a multitude of tiny bubbles, which burst pressure waves that break off the tooth stone. Such devices are also used by opticians Cleaning the glasses and by jewelers for cleaning Jewellery used.

Proper cleaning of a denture is extremely important. Both partial and full dentures can be damaged by deposits of dirt particles and dental plaque. In addition, improperly cared for prostheses often show unsightly, hard-to-remove discoloration.

In order to avoid the necessity of producing a new denture, which usually costs several hundred euros, denture cleaning with an ultrasound device has proven itself. A full denture cleaning using ultrasound can be done in most dental offices or dental laboratories. In addition, some manufacturers offer compact ultrasound devices for cleaning dentures at home. However, the quality of denture cleaning using such home devices is controversial. With the help of the ultrasound device, soft and then even hard deposits can be removed from the surface of the prosthesis. Even stubborn tea, coffee or nicotine deposits can be reliably removed using ultrasound.

So that this type of denture cleaning can take place, the removable dentures must be placed in a special bath. The smallest vibrations create vacuum bubbles within the rinsing solution. When several of these vesicles meet, a pressure wave forms which “bursts” hard deposits from the surface of the prosthesis. In addition, bacterial pathogens can also be carefully killed and removed in this way.

Immediately after cleaning the denture, the special cleaning solution should be rinsed off the denture material. For this purpose, it is sufficient to carefully brush the prosthesis under clear, running water.

For older dentures it also makes sense to have their surface smoothed and polished at regular intervals. Experience has shown that a prosthesis with the smoothest possible surface is perceived by the wearer as less annoying. Furthermore, the number of bacterial pathogens on the removable dentures is reduced through regular treatment of the prosthesis material. The denture cleaning with the help of the ultrasound device should be carried out at least once a year. As the time required for this procedure is relatively short, cleaning can usually conveniently take place alongside the annual check-up.

Read more on the topic: Denture cleaning with ultrasound

Professional denture cleaning

The most careful cleaning of dentures is carried out by the dentist or dental professional. Therefore, the dentist should be visited from time to time to have the dentures cleaned thoroughly. In addition to removing tartar by cleaning with ultrasound, prostheses that have become dull are also polished up and any small damage removed. Afterwards the prosthesis is like new again.

Denture cleaning - smokers should keep this in mind

Unsightly discoloration quickly forms on the dentures of smokers and people who regularly consume tea or coffee. These color deposits usually occur in those areas that have soft and / or solid plaque deposits.

Bacterial pathogens that grow within this dental plaque damage the surface of the prosthesis and allow various colored particles to penetrate the dental prosthesis material. Since it is therefore Discoloration based on the smallest micro-defects in the surface structure of the prosthesis discoloration is difficult to remove from smokers. In many cases, prosthesis cleaning for smokers can be carried out through regular, careful polishing. However, under no circumstances should this be attempted by the patient himself.

A gentle polishing of a dental prosthesis can generally only be carried out in the dental practice or the dental laboratory. In addition, there are various cleaning solutions or tablets that have been specially developed for the removal of smoker-specific discolouration. However, the effects of these denture cleaning agents are often hardly detectable.

In general, it can be stated that discoloration of the prosthesis material in smokers or people who frequently consume tea or coffee can be managed well with regular cleaning of the dentures. Removal only becomes cumbersome if deposits persist over a longer period of time.

Prosthesis cleaning - billing, GOZ

In many cases, a thorough cleaning of the denture can only be carried out in a dental practice or the dental laboratory. With the help of cleaning solutions and tablets, only soft deposits can usually be removed from the surface of the prosthesis. In the case of solid coverings, dentures must often be cleaned with the aid of ultrasound or polish. If the removable dentures need to be cleaned, the patient concerned must be aware that this is a purely private service. This means that neither the statutory nor the private health insurances have to pay for the costs of this measure.

Professional denture cleaning is usually done via the so-called "Schedule of fees for dentists"(Short: GOZ) billed. There is no specific performance figure for billing professional denture cleaning. Rather, this must be billed according to § 2 (3) of the fee schedule for dentists (GOZ) with a flat fee that is appropriate to the effort. It should be noted that this expense allowance must be made in writing and signed by both parties (dentist and patient) before cleaning the dentures. Only in this case can a billing according to § 2 (3) of the GOZ take place. A so-called treatment and cost plan is usually the usual document. In cases in which professional denture cleaning is not carried out in the dental practice but in the dental laboratory, an invoice can be made in accordance with Section 9 of the Dental Fee Schedule (GOZ). This paragraph includes all expenses incurred for dental services.

Cleaning of dentures with vinegar

Vinegar can also be used to clean the dentures. Vinegar essence is suitable, but as a diluted solution with water. It is important to use white or clear vinegar, as the other vinegar products contain dyes that can discolour the prosthesis. The ratio between vinegar and water should be 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water.

Undiluted, the vinegar is too strong and too corrosive that it could damage the plastic. The point of using vinegar is to remove the food residues and any tartar on the denture. As in citric acid, many different substances dissolve or at least separate from the plastic. You should put the prosthesis in the vinegar bath for a maximum of 20-30 minutes and never "soak" it overnight.

Coarse tartar can be loosened or decalcified with the vinegar and then removed with a toothbrush under water like a calcified faucet. Unfortunately, cleaning with a toothbrush cannot be replaced by this vinegar bath.

Find out more about this at: Cleaning the denture with vinegar

If there are no food residues or plaque residues on the prosthesis, bacteria, fungi and viruses can no longer grow. In contrast to toothpastes, which contain ingredients for sanding, the vinegar does not roughen the surface of the denture and does not wear off the white denture teeth. If the prosthesis still cannot be completely cleaned, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned by the dentist or dental technician.

Denture cleaning with baking soda

For rough cleaning and removal of discoloration, you can also try to remove the dentures with baking soda. To do this, take a teaspoon of baking powder and dissolve it in a glass of water. The prostheses can be placed in it - but no longer than 20 minutes, as baking soda can also attack the plastic. In addition, this method should not be used more than once a week. Then you have to rinse the prosthesis thoroughly with water. Scrubbing with a toothbrush is not recommended, otherwise the baking powder can settle into small grooves.

If you want to avoid the resulting unpleasant taste, you should then rinse the prosthesis thoroughly with water and then, if necessary, place it in a water glass with drops of taste. This does not make the denture teeth whiter. The plastic cannot be made lighter, it can only be cleaned.

Summary

As with your own teeth, cleaning is also important with dentures in order to avoid damage to the remaining teeth and the oral mucosa. In addition to special brushes and cleaning pastes, easy-to-use cleaning tablets are available. Tartar can only be removed using ultrasound. Therefore, professional denture cleaning should also be carried out.