Everyone has bad breath once in a while. If you wake up with a bit of an odor in your mouth, or you have just eaten a meal with a lot of garlic in it, bad breath is probably nothing to be concerned about. However, when it becomes a persistent problem, you should take action to address it. In some cases, you may need to adjust how you care for both your dentures and your mouth. This blog post explores what causes dentures to smell bad and provides tips on how you can enjoy a fresher smile.
Why Do Dentures Smell Bad?
Very often, dentures smell bad for the same reason that people with all of their natural teeth can sometimes develop bad breath — bacteria and food particles. When bacteria are allowed to accumulate on your prosthetic and the underlying gum tissue, unpleasant odors can be the result. Food particles may also collect in crevices in your mouth or dentures, which can exacerbate bad breath.
Another possible cause of odors is the use of cigarettes. The smoke can invade the tiny pores in your dentures, causing them to lose their freshness.
How to Fight Denture Odors
Here are some steps you can take that may help you to enjoy a fresher, cleaner, and more confident smile:
Keep Up with Oral Hygiene
You should thoroughly brush your denture each night and gently clean your gums, your tongue, and the inside of your cheeks. Ask your dental team for recommendations on which products and techniques you should use to effectively eliminate unwanted bacteria.
You should also periodically soak your denture. Leaving it overnight in a cleaning solution can help to deep-clean it so it can have a neutral smell.
Keep Your Mouth Moist
One of saliva’s jobs is to rinse away harmful bacteria and food particles. A dry mouth can create an environment where odor-causing substances multiply and thrive.
To promote saliva production, you should drink plenty of water. Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum could also help. If any of your medications have dry mouth as a side effect, talk to your primary care physician to find out if you can stop taking it or switch to another prescription.
Kick Bad Habits
If you smoke, chew tobacco, or use e-cigarettes, you are at a higher risk of developing bad breath and denture odors. You should do your best to kick those habits, or at least cut back on them.
Another bad habit is the overconsumption of sugar, which can contribute to dry mouth and promote bacterial growth in the mouth. Sweets should be enjoyed only in moderation!
Talk to Your Dentist
In some cases, bad breath is related to gum disease or other oral infections. If that might be true in your case, you should seek professional care right away. Proper treatment can protect your oral health and help you to enjoy a fresher smile.
Bad breath is an unpleasant problem. Use the tips in this article to keep your denture and your mouth as clean as possible.
Meet the Practice
The experts at New Haven Dental Group in Woodbridge provide a range of services for denture wearers. If you are concerned about bad breath or have other questions about how to care for your prosthetic, we are ready to provide personalized guidance on how to manage the situation. Get in touch with our friendly team at 203-409-2535.