What Is a Denture Cleaner Tablet?

Dentures, in addition to being regularly worn, should be properly maintained and cleaned. Denture cleansers or cleaners are available in gels, creams, powders or tablets. Along with regular brushing, using a denture cleanser tablet will keep your dentures clean and looking new.

Function

• Denture cleanser tablets should be dropped into warm--not hot--water. Being effervescent, they will fizz upon touching water and create a solution in which to place your dentures. Keeping dentures soaked helps maintain their shape and pliability. Dentures should never be allowed to dry out.

Effervescence

• The sodium bicarbonate and citric acid in denture cleanser tablets provide the mechanical cleansing procedure and help loosen particles on the dentures.

Oxidizing Agents

• All denture cleanser tablets have oxidizing agents that loosen stains from dentures while providing some whitening effects. These agents keep your dentures from retaining the staining from regular consumption of wine, coffee or cigarettes.

Detergents and Enzymes

• Detergents are also in denture cleanser tablets, most commonly sodium polyphosphate. Detergents take off the oily stains and keep them distant from the dentures in the solution to prevent reabsorption.

Warnings

• In March of 2008, the FDA required denture cleanser companies to disclose the usage of persulfates in tablets after 73 documented deaths. Some of the deaths were due to allergic reactions to persulfates after prolonged usage. Symptoms include rash, gum tenderness, hives and breathing problems.