Getting dentures is perhaps one of the best decisions you will ever make if you have missing teeth. And if it is still your first-time getting dentures, you will less likely expect about having what others call denture breath or the bad breath caused by dentures.
Even if dentures are not exactly your natural teeth, they still need care and maintenance like you would for your natural teeth. Dentures are not immune to bacterial growth and are, in fact, susceptible to it. So, if you do not clean it as frequently as you should or visit the Prosthetist as required, expect that it will have a foul odour after using it extensively for drinking and eating.
Should you want to learn more about denture breath, what causes it, and how to prevent bad denture breath, make sure you keep reading on to know more.
What Causes Denture Breath?
It is easy to assume that your dentures are not giving off a bad smell, especially if your dentures look smooth and clean just by looking at them. However, there are some things your naked eye cannot see. There might be tiny pores and crevices on your dentures that still have food debris and bacteria build-up. And if you don’t properly clean your dentures, they will surely remain and cause denture breath.
Denture breath is caused by bacteria that is stuck in the small crevices of your denture. If you don’t remove and properly clean your dentures on a regular basis, chances are, your dentures will surely give off a bad smell.
It is also possible that you are not aware that your dentures smell. If you want to check it out for yourself, try putting them in a re-sealable zipper storage bag for a few minutes. Once enough time has passed, try taking a whiff out of the bag, and if it smells terrible, well, you certainly have a problem right there. You have to check with your Prosthetist and ask how to get rid of bad breath permanently, especially the one that is caused by your dentures.
However, if you notice that your dentures are not producing any foul smell, you may have an underlying issue that you haven’t checked with your Prosthetist. You might have halitosis, gum infection, cavities, chronic conditions, dry mouth, mouth, nose, and throat infection, and bad breath caused by smoking tobacco.
7 Tips to Prevent Bad Denture Breath
Keeping your dentures clean ensures that you will prevent bad denture breath or remove that metallic breath odour you’ve always had. While your Dental Prosthetist in Sydney can give you the best advice on how you can prevent foul odour caused by your dentures, here are easy to follow tips on how you can prevent bad denture breath even if you are at home:
- Soak your dentures overnight.
After using your denture for the entire day, it only makes sense that you take it out, so you can brush your teeth, gums, and tongue. However, don’t forget that your denture also needs cleaning. Instead of just setting it aside, make sure you soak it with a denture cleaning solution. Soaking it longer will destroy more germs; hence, it is highly recommended to let it soak in the said solution. - Brush your dentures after soaking them overnight.
Don’t forget to include your dentures in your early morning routine. Remove your dentures from the solution and brush them like how you would with your teeth. You shouldn’t brush your dentures with just any brush you can find. Make sure you use a denture toothbrush with soft bristles so it can reach as many corners and crevices as possible. - Apply denture glue.
Denture glue creates this barrier between your dentures and gums. With this barrier, food won’t easily get stuck underneath the dentures. Now, you will no longer worry about having foul breath because of food stuck in the area where you have applied denture glue. - Drink water throughout the day.
One way to ensure you avoid denture breath throughout the day without having to exert too much effort is by drinking water. Drinking water regularly throughout the day can make sure that your mouth won’t get dry.Dry mouth is one of the causes of foul breath. If you drink water, it aids the saliva and reduces the bacteria in your mouth, which is the culprit of foul breath.
- Rinse your mouth everyday.
Another tip is to ensure that you rinse your mouth with water every after your meal, especially if you cannot find time to brush your teeth right away. By doing so, you prevent germs from forming and building up and become the primary source of your denture breath. If you have access to salt, consider rinsing with a moderate saltwater solution. - Handle your dentures with care.
No matter how often you soak your dentures with the right solution, and even if you brush it carefully with the right brush, such efforts will still be useless if you do not handle your dentures with care. If your dentures get cracks, chips, and scratches, it paves the way for more bacteria build-up. - Schedule a regular visit with your Prosthetist.
Your Prosthetist knows best when it comes to helping you out on determining and fixing the bad odour caused by your dentures. Hence, it is crucial that you have yourself checked by your Prosthetist, especially if you are fully aware of your denture breath. They will assess the root cause of your condition and will make the necessary modification to get rid of bad breath.
Get Rid of Denture Breath Today
Suppose you are looking for a denture clinic in Sydney that can help you get rid of denture breath. In that case, make sure you contact us here at Palmerston Road Denture Clinic. You can contact us today to book your free consultation directly through our website, and you may also call us on (02) 9482 1952 or email us at steven.frew@prdentureclinic.com.au.