Denture Cleansers

1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
3. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

Denture cleansers are intended to clean and disinfect dentures outside of the mouth. The cleansers eliminate stains caused by foods and beverages, remove debris from between the teeth, and help stop the growth of harmful microorganisms on the denture surface. Denture cleansers are available in various forms such as pastes, powders, and effervescent tablets. Common ingredients include soaps, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), citric acid, tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (an antimicrobial), and sodium perborate or potassium monopersulfate to clean and bleach the dentures.

Common calls to the poison center involve accidental ingestions of both the denture cleansers themselves and the water used to dissolve the effervescent tablets. These can be irritating to the mouth and stomach. If enough is swallowed, there may be vomiting and sometimes diarrhea, but no serious symptoms are expected after accidental ingestions.

If you find your child has eaten a denture cleanser, do not panic. Take the cleanser away from them, wipe out the mouth with a soft, wet cloth, and give them some water to drink. Wash any exposed skin with soap and water. If problems start or you have questions, call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions.

If you would like to find out more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from possible poison exposures, visit our First Aid for Poisoning page. Learn more about the four different routes of posing that can occur and how to react to each. We have first-aid videos in the event of swelling, skin contact, eye exposure, or inhalation.

**Note: Don’t forget, every case is different. To make sure you are getting the best information for your individual situation, click below to call or chat. It is fast, free, and confidential.