How to clean dentures — daily hygiene, soaking and night-time removal

Key facts

• Brush dentures daily with a non-abrasive cleanser
• Soak overnight and leave dentures out at night
• Never use hot water or bleach on metal parts
• Brush gums, tongue and natural teeth too
• Persistent redness or ulcers need a check-up

A daily denture cleaning routine

Remove and rinse your denture after meals to wash away food. At least once a day, brush every surface — inside, outside and around the teeth — with a soft denture brush or soft toothbrush and plain liquid soap or a non-abrasive denture cleanser. Regular toothpaste is often too abrasive and can create fine scratches where stains and bacteria collect. Clean over a basin filled with water or a folded towel so the denture does not break if it slips. Rinse thoroughly before putting it back in. If you have a partial denture, pay particular attention to the clasps and the parts that touch natural teeth.

Soaking and night-time removal

Unless your dentist has told you otherwise, take dentures out at night. This gives the gums time to rest and recover from pressure, and reduces the build-up of yeast and bacteria. While out, store them in water or a denture-soaking solution so they do not dry out and change shape. Follow the cleanser instructions on soaking time and always rinse before wearing. Do not use hot or boiling water, which can warp acrylic, and avoid bleach-based products on dentures with metal parts, as they can corrode them. Flexible nylon dentures need cleansers specifically designed for that material.

Caring for your gums, tongue and natural teeth

Cleaning the mouth is as important as cleaning the denture. Brush your gums, tongue and palate gently with a soft brush each day to remove plaque and stimulate circulation. If you have remaining natural teeth, brush them twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between them; teeth that support partial denture clasps are at higher risk of decay and gum disease. If you have implants supporting an overdenture, clean around the implant attachments carefully, using interdental brushes or a water flosser if recommended. Drinking enough water helps, particularly if medicines cause a dry mouth.

Preventing denture stomatitis and bad odour

Denture stomatitis is inflammation of the gums under a denture, often red and sometimes sore, commonly linked to yeast (Candida) and plaque on the fitting surface. It is more likely when dentures are worn overnight, cleaned poorly or fit badly, and in people with diabetes or dry mouth. Daily brushing, soaking and removing dentures at night are the main prevention. Odour usually comes from plaque and food trapped on the denture or the tongue, so cleaning both helps. If redness, soreness, white patches or cracked corners of the mouth persist despite good cleaning, see your dentist, as treatment of the denture and the gums may be needed.

Stains, tartar and professional care

Tea, coffee, smoking and some foods stain dentures over time, and hard deposits similar to tartar can form, especially on lower dentures. Daily cleaning reduces this, but do not scrape or use household abrasives, which damage the surface. Your dentist can professionally clean and polish a denture during a review. Check-ups — usually at least once a year, or as advised — allow the fit, the gums and the denture condition to be checked, and any non-healing ulcer to be examined. Ulcers that do not heal within about two weeks should always be seen. Dr. Manhal Helfawee can also advise on relines if the denture has become loose.

Modern dentures are designed for fit, bite and appearance. When a lower denture moves, two or more implants can hold it in place with click-in attachments.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Manhal Helfawee

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.