(HealthDay News) -- Dentures, just as with natural teeth, require care and regular cleaning to help maintain a healthy mouth.

The American Dental Association suggests how to care for dentures:

• Remember that dentures are fragile; hold them over something soft such as a folded towel while cleaning them.
• Thoroughly brush dentures daily using a denture brush or soft-bristled toothbrush to remove food particles and plaque.
• Clean dentures with a gentle hand soap or mild dish detergent, but never with bleach or an abrasive powdered cleaner.
• Store dentures in water or a dental cleansing solution in a safe place, out of reach of kids and pets.