How long can you leave dentures in water?

Do dentures need to be stored in water?

Yes, according to the sources. The ADA's MouthHealthy page says that when dentures are not worn they should be kept in a safe place covered in water to prevent warping. Healthline says to soak dentures overnight in lukewarm water or a denture-soaking solution and not to let them dry out, because dryness can make them lose their shape and become more brittle. Cleveland Clinic says to soak them overnight in a denture solution. So the standard advice is to keep them wet when they are out.

How long can you leave dentures in water?

Overnight is the period the sources describe. Healthline gives no duration beyond overnight, and Cleveland Clinic and the ADA give none. None says how long dentures can stay in water, and none addresses leaving them for a week. Longer is a question for your dentist, which is general and flagged. If you will not be wearing them for days, ask the dentist how to store them.

Can you leave dentures in water overnight?

Yes. Healthline says to soak them overnight in lukewarm or cool water or a soaking solution. Cleveland Clinic says most people sleep without their dentures and recommends removing them for at least eight hours a day to rest the gums, reduce harmful oral bacteria and keep the jawbone strong, and to soak them overnight in denture solution. Our guide on whether you can sleep with dentures covers the question further.

What should you soak dentures in?

Healthline lists a denture-soaking solution, a dental cleaning solution or mild soap, as well as warm or cool water. Cleveland Clinic says a denture solution. Our guide on what to soak dentures in at night covers the options in more detail.

Can you soak dentures in salt water?

The sources we read do not mention salt water. Healthline's page does not, nor do the ADA and Cleveland Clinic. Ask your dentist before using it, since some denture materials and metal parts may not suit it, which is general advice and flagged.

Can you soak dentures with a soft liner in water?

The sources we read do not mention soft liners. Soft liners are a different material from the hard acrylic of a standard denture, and a soaking solution can affect them, which is general knowledge and flagged. Ask your dentist which cleaning and soaking product is safe for your denture.

Can you use hot water?

No. Healthline says not to soak dentures in hot water, because heat can change the shape of the material. The ADA's point about preventing warping is the same idea. Use lukewarm or cool water, and our guide on how to look after dentures covers cleaning.

What else should you avoid?

Healthline warns that toothpaste and teeth-whitening products can change denture color. The ADA says to rinse dentures before brushing with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive cleanser. Cleveland Clinic says to clean them with a denture brush and paste, brush your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth and any remaining teeth twice a day, and get a reline every one to two years or whenever the fit changes. The sources we read do not mention coffee staining.

How do you keep dentures clean while they soak?

Healthline says to soak them in lukewarm or cool water or a denture-soaking solution, and the ADA says to rinse dentures before brushing with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive cleanser. Cleveland Clinic says to clean them with a denture brush and paste at the end of each day. Rinse them after soaking and before you put them back in, which is general advice and flagged because the sources do not say it. Use a case or a clean container that you wash regularly, and keep it where a pet cannot reach it. If your dentures develop stains, a rough surface or a smell that does not go with cleaning, ask your dentist, who can polish them.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to your check-up.

• How should I store my dentures overnight and when I travel?
• Which cleaning solution is safe for my denture?
• Can I use salt water or whitening products?
• How often should I have the fit checked?
• When should my dentures be replaced?

Frequently asked questions