I’m right there with you—just rinsing with saltwater never feels like enough for me either. I get anxious about bacteria too, especially if I can’t do my normal cleaning routine. Using bottled water and a soft brush sounds like a pretty good workaround, though. Has anyone tried those little travel-sized mouthwashes in a pinch? I wonder if that’s any safer, or if it could mess with the dentures somehow...
Those little mouthwash bottles are tempting in a pinch, but I’d be careful. Most commercial mouthwashes have alcohol or other chemicals that can dry out or even damage certain denture materials over time. If it’s just a one-time thing, probably not the end of the world, but I wouldn’t make a habit of it. I’ve seen patients come in with their dentures looking cloudy or even a bit warped after using the wrong products. Saltwater and a soft brush really are your safest bets on the road... not perfect, but better than risking long-term damage.
I’ve definitely been there—digging through my bag in a hotel bathroom, realizing I forgot the denture tablets at home. Not my finest moment. I’ll admit, I’ve eyeballed those tiny mouthwash bottles too, thinking “eh, how bad could it be?” But yeah, I’ve heard stories like this:
“Most commercial mouthwashes have alcohol or other chemicals that can dry out or even damage certain denture materials over time.”
It’s kinda wild how something that seems “clean” can actually mess things up in the long run. I used mouthwash once when I was desperate, and my partials got this weird cloudy film that took forever to buff out. Not worth it.
Honestly, saltwater and a soft brush have saved my butt more than once. It’s not as “fresh” as the fizzing tablets, but at least I’m not risking an expensive replacement. I just mix a little salt in warm water from the hotel coffee maker (cleaned first—learned that one the hard way), give them a gentle scrub, and call it good enough until I’m home.
I get wanting to use what’s on hand, especially if you’re trying to save money or can’t find a pharmacy nearby. But yeah, those denture cleaners aren’t cheap to replace if you mess them up. I’d rather spend my cash on something fun during a trip than on new dentures.
Anyone else ever try just brushing with a little dish soap? I’ve heard mixed things—some folks swear by it, others say it leaves a weird taste. I haven’t been brave enough yet, but it’s supposed to be safe if you rinse well. Traveling with dentures is such an adventure sometimes... never thought I’d be packing salt packets next to my toothpaste, but here we are.
At least we’re all learning together, right?
Dish soap, huh? I’ve actually tried that once—just a tiny dab on a soft brush, then rinsed the heck out of them. Didn’t love the aftertaste, but it got the job done in a pinch. Honestly, I’m with you on saltwater being the safest bet when you’re stuck. One time I tried hotel hand soap and regretted it... tasted like perfume for hours. The struggle is real when you’re traveling and realize how much you rely on those little tablets.
One time I tried hotel hand soap and regretted it... tasted like perfume for hours.
Oh man, I’ve been there with the hotel soaps—never again. I once tried using a bit of the mini shampoo in desperation (don’t judge, haha) and my dentures felt weirdly slippery for the rest of the day. Saltwater’s definitely my go-to now if I’m in a bind. It’s not perfect, but at least you don’t end up tasting like a floral candle. Funny how you never realize how much you depend on those little cleaning tablets until you’re out of them.
