Bad Breath: You Don't Have to Live with It

Bleach-based denture cleaners are some of the most common homemade denture cleaners; people love them because they are inexpensive and effective. However, this doesn't mean they are suitable, at least not for everyone. Here are some of the problems you may encounter when using bleach-based cleaners for your dentures:

They May Trigger Allergic Reactions

Some people are allergic to sodium hypochlorite, which is the main active ingredient in common cleaners. If you are allergic to bleach, then you may experience allergic symptoms such as itching, redness, gum tenderness, and difficulty breathing, among other symptoms. Most of the symptoms may be concentrated in your mouth or the areas that came into contact with the bleach, but you may also experience symptoms in different parts of the body.

They May Fade the Denture's Color

The best denture for you is the one that mimics the natural color of your mouth as close as possible. This is why there are dentures that look yellowish or pinkish at their bottoms. Unfortunately, bleach-based denture cleaners will not just clean your dentures; they may also whiten your colored dentures. The effect may not be noticeable after soaking the dentures for a few minutes, but an overnight soaking (especially on a daily basis) may produce noticeable changes in color.

They May Weaken or Roughen Up the Dentures

There is also a risk, although small, of the bleach roughening up or weakening your dentures. Dentures should have smooth surfaces because rough surfaces allow bacteria and other debris to hide; dentures with rough surfaces are also difficult to clean. Of course, weak dentures wear out faster and may also not retain their original shape. Again, this effect is more pronounced with concentrated cleaners and prolonged soaking.

They May Cause Denture Corrosion

It is also possible for the bleach to corrode the metallic parts of your dentures. For example, partial dentures have metal frameworks and clasps that connect around the teeth; these are the parts that the solution may corrode. As you may suspect, the exact nature of the metal, the duration of soaking, and the type/concentration of the bleach determines the extent of the corrosion effect.

Therefore, you should be very careful while formulating home-based cleaners for your dentures. Ideally, you should rely on your dentist's advice if you don't want to damage your dentures or cause further injury to your mouth. As an added precaution, run new formulations by your dentist before subjecting your dentures to them.