Bad breath happens to everyone. Whether you just ate a pungent meal or you woke up with a bit of an odor in your mouth, some cases of bad breath are nothing to be concerned about. However, when it becomes frequent and persistent, you should do what you can to address it. Some individuals need to adjust how they care for their dentures and their mouth. What might cause your dentures to smell bad, and what can you do to enjoy a fresher smile? This blog post provides some practical information.
Why Do Dentures Smell Bad?
Often, dentures smell bad due to the accumulation of bacteria and food particles. When these substances are allowed to collect on the surfaces of your prosthetic teeth, they may sneak into the tiny pores in the acrylic. Food may even get stuck on the chewing surfaces of your dentures or in their other small crevices. Over time, these issues can lead to some very unpleasant odors.
Another potential cause of stinky dentures is the use of cigarettes. The smoke can seep into the pores in the dentures, causing them to lose their freshness and their appearance (smoking can quickly turn dentures yellow).
How to Fight Denture Odors
In most cases, it is not difficult to keep a denture fresh and clean. Here are some practical tips to that end:
Keep Up with Oral Hygiene
Every evening, you should clean your denture with a soft brush. You should also use a washcloth or brush to clean your gums, tongue, and the inside of your cheeks. Ask your dental team if you would like advice on which products and techniques to use.
Additionally, you should soak your denture each night. Leaving it in a cleaning solution can get rid of nearly 100% of unwanted bacteria.
Keep Your Mouth Moist
Saliva plays a pivotal role in your oral health. One of the useful things it does is rinse away food particles and bacteria. Without adequate saliva, odor-causing substances may multiply and thrive.
To promote saliva production, you should stay hydrated. You could also try sucking on sugar-free candies (try not to bite on the candies with your dentures). If any of your current medications are causing dry mouth as a side effect, share your concerns with the doctor who prescribed it.
Kick Bad Habits
If you smoke, use chewing tobacco, or vape, you are at an increased risk of bad breath and denture odors. Do your best to quit such habits. At the very least, you should make an effort to cut back on how often you indulge.
Another potentially dangerous habit is the overconsumption of sugar, which can contribute to a dry mouth and help harmful bacteria to thrive. Sweets should be an occasional treat!
Talk to Your Dentist
In some cases, denture wearers have bad breath because of gum disease or another type of infection. If you believe your oral health is suffering, you should book an appointment with your dentist right away. Proper treatment can protect your mouth’s wellness and help to get rid of unwanted odors.
Denture odors and bad breath are troublesome! Hopefully, the above tips will get you on your way to a happier and fresher smile.
Meet the Practice
The experts at Abington Family Dental Care are ready to help patients with their oral health concerns. Whether you are struggling with denture odors, bad breath, or other issues, we can assess the situation and provide practical guidance to move you toward improvement. To learn more about our services or to book a consultation, contact our office at 781-780-2658.