Nobody wants to walk around with bad breath, and that includes denture patients. However, patients with prosthetics are also much more likely to have bad breath, as dentures can start to smell if they’re cared for improperly.
If you’ve noticed that your dentures have a little bit of an odor to them, here are a few things you can do to address that issue.
Keep Your Dentures Clean
Just like natural teeth, your dentures need to be cleaned carefully each day if you want to keep them smelling fresh. If you aren’t already, you should:
- Rinse your dentures off after eating. Even just a quick wash can make a big difference in your prosthetic’s ability to stave off bacteria.
- Clean your mouth whenever you remove your dentures to ensure that no bacteria are hiding there.
- Gently brush your dentures at least once a day to ensure that they’re free of excess food particles.
- Soak your dentures in a denture cleaning solution overnight. This ensures that they stay hygienic and that your gums have time to rest.
- Try to avoid things that could wear out your dentures, as any chips or cracks could allow bacteria to hide away.
If you’re unhappy with how your dentures smell or feel, look over this list and ensure that you aren’t missing a vital part of denture care.
Avoid Dry Mouth
Saliva is vital to the mouth’s natural cleaning process, and without it, bad-breath-causing bacteria can begin to flourish. People with dentures are unusually susceptible to dry mouth, so you should drink plenty of water to ensure that your mouth stays moist. It may also be worth checking if you’re taking any medications that can cause dry mouth as well.
See Your Dentist Often
A lot of times, bad breath is a symptom of an underlying oral health problem, like gum disease. By seeing your dentist often, you can be screened for these conditions and treated for them as needed. Your dentist will also be able to check the state of your gums and can reline your dentures as necessary.
If you maintain your dentures well and see your dentist often, you’ll never have to worry about how they smell. Keep these tips in mind, and you can enjoy the confidence that dentures give you without any reservations.
About the Author
Dr. Erin M. Prach is a dentist who loves nothing more than watching her patients become more confident as a result of her treatment. For her, watching someone’s true personality come to light is always deeply gratifying. Dr. Prach graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and she maintains membership in both the American Dental Association and the Wyoming Dental Association.
If you have any questions about caring for your dentures, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (307) 337-4770.