Dentures

A soft-bristled toothbrush works well to clean full or partial dentures. There are also brushes specially designed for cleaning dentures, which have bristles arranged to fit the shape of the denture.

Avoid hard bristles which will damage the surface of the denture. Denture cleaners, hand soap or mild dish-washing liquid are suggested for cleaning, as toothpastes are too abrasive.

Denture wearers should pay attention to their mouths, even if they have no or few teeth remaining. Mouths should be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture’s metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under these clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay.

Learn more about denture care.

Braces

Brushing and flossing take longer, and are even more important for people with braces because food gets stuck around the brackets. While brushing, angle the brush head to scrub all surfaces of the brackets in sequence: top, head-on, and underneath. Your dentist or orthodontist can provide you with floss threaders to help you to floss, and orthodontic toothbrushes (with channels in the bristles) are also available.

Retainers

Whenever you brush your teeth, you should remove and brush your retainer as well. Do not use toothpaste — that can cause grooves in the plastic for bacteria to gather. Disinfect your retainer at least once a week using a denture or orthodontic cleanser, or soap and water.

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