The tablets always left this weird aftertaste for me, and I swear my gums felt a bit off too.
That aftertaste is real. I’ve heard it from patients more than once, and honestly, I’ve noticed it myself when testing products for family members. The fizzing tablets are marketed as so “thorough,” but sometimes it feels like they’re a little too aggressive, especially if you’re sensitive to flavors or have any tiny sore spots in your mouth.
I actually had a patient—let’s call her Nancy—who was convinced her partial was getting stained because she switched from the blue fizzy tablets to just a gentle dish soap soak. Turns out, her partial actually lasted longer and looked better with the switch. She joked that her morning routine went from “science experiment” to “just washing the dishes.” Less hassle, less weird taste, and apparently no negative impact on the denture itself.
But there’s a flip side. I’ve seen folks who don’t rinse quite enough after using dish soap and end up with a soapy mouthful the next day (not pleasant). Some of those tablets do have ingredients that help break down stubborn stains, especially if you’re a coffee or tea drinker. I guess it’s about finding what works for your mouth and your routine.
Curious if anyone’s ever tried alternating between the two—like using the tablets every couple days for a deep clean, then just sticking with soap most of the time? Or maybe adding in a soft brush or even salt water now and then? There’s such a range of comfort levels and preferences out there. And honestly, the “right” answer probably depends on what feels best in your own mouth... plus how much patience you have for all that rinsing.
I’ve bounced between both, honestly. The tablets always felt a bit harsh for me too—like my mouth was “too clean” if that makes sense? I do a gentle dish soap soak most days now, and just use the tablets once or twice a week when I notice any staining. Haven’t had any issues with buildup or weird taste since switching it up. Just gotta be careful to rinse like crazy after the soap... nobody wants that flavor lingering.
Just gotta be careful to rinse like crazy after the soap... nobody wants that flavor lingering.
Totally get that—dish soap taste is the worst. I’ve been sticking to soap too, mostly because those tablets add up cost-wise. Ever tried using just warm water and a soft brush some days? I wonder if that’s enough or if I’m cutting corners...
Warm water and a soft brush can help with the surface stuff, but I’d be a little wary about relying on that alone for more than a day or two. I tried it when I ran out of cleaning tablets, and honestly, things just didn’t feel as fresh after a while. There’s also the concern about bacteria or stains building up over time, which isn’t always obvious right away.
Soap is definitely budget-friendly, but I get nervous about any residue—even after rinsing forever, sometimes there’s still a weird aftertaste. My orthodontist mentioned that the effervescent tablets actually do a better job breaking down plaque and keeping odors away, especially if you’re wearing your dentures all day. I’ve started alternating—tablets every few days, soap and brush in between—to stretch out the cost a bit.
Not sure if it’s the “official” way, but it seems to keep things clean without that soapy flavor. If you ever notice any buildup or weird smells, it might be worth mixing in the tablets more often.
Soap is definitely budget-friendly, but I get nervous about any residue—even after rinsing forever, sometimes there’s still a weird aftertaste.
That aftertaste is no joke. I swear, I could rinse my dentures a dozen times and still feel like I’m chewing on a bar of soap the next day. My daughter caught me sniffing them once—she thought I’d lost my mind. I do like your idea of alternating though, it’s kind of what I ended up doing out of laziness (or maybe thriftiness). Tablets for the deep clean, then a quick brush and water most days.
One thing I noticed: the tablets seem to get rid of that “old penny” smell way better than anything else. But they’re not cheap, and sometimes I forget to buy more. Anyone else ever try just soaking in vinegar? My neighbor swears by it, but I’m a little nervous about my dentures ending up smelling like salad dressing.
