What Are the Different Types of Whitener for Dentures?

A person might choose to have dentures made if he or she loses all or some of his or her natural teeth because of old age, bad oral hygiene or an illness. Many denture wearers take pride in their false teeth and like to keep them as bright and white as a person would his or her natural teeth. Whitener for dentures is available in several types. Some popular types include overnight cleansing tablets, battery-operated cleansing units and special denture toothpaste.

Dentures can be discolored the same way that natural teeth can. Coffee, tobacco and cola can all leave dentures looking off-white or yellow. Dirty dentures also can build up germs, which can lead to unhealthy gums and an unhealthy mouth. Denture care is very important for both a person's appearance and overall health.

One common whitener for dentures is a cleansing tablet. Cleansing tablets can be found in most drug stores and are easy to use. All that a denture wearer needs to do is put a cleansing tablet in a glass of warm water every night and drop the dentures inside. When the person wakes up, he or she can rinse off the dentures, and they will be white and germ-free. Purchasing cleansing tablets is a relatively affordable solution for denture whitening.

Another whitener for dentures comes in the form of a battery powered-cleaning tub. These devices are not as cheap as cleansing tablets but can do in 20 minutes or less what cleansing tablets would take all night to do. A person will need to place his or her dentures, warm water and whitening cleaner into the battery-powered tub. When the cycle is finished, the dentures can be removed and are ready to wear. The tub should be cleaned and dried out after each use.

The whitener for dentures that is usually best for a person who is on a strict budget is denture toothpaste. This type of whitening toothpaste is designed specifically for false teeth. A person should always take his or her dentures out of his or her mouth before brushing or cleaning them. The dentures can be held in a person's hand while he or she cleans them with a toothbrush, the denture paste and water. This process typically should be done twice a day.

Although at-home dental treatments work well for whitening and maintenance, they should not replace regular trips to the dentist. Even if a person has completely false teeth, he or she can still get gum disease without regular dental checkups. A person who is having trouble keeping his or her dentures clean and white with an over-the-counter product can consult a dentist for help.