Dentures help countless patients regain the beautiful and confident smile they deserve after missing teeth. Unfortunately, there are some denture patients that find themselves once again suffering from insecurity within their smile. A common, yet preventable, denture issue is bad breath – also known as “denture breath.” This can cause patients to step away from intimate conversations or even hesitate to speak due to the fear of a foul odor escaping their mouth. The good news is that denture breath is easily curable in most cases, but it does require some oral hygiene attention and possibly a trip to your dentist.
What Causes Bad Breath with Dentures?
When halitosis (or bad breath) occurs while wearing dentures, it is often a result of bacteria and plaque accumulation underneath the denture appliance. Food particles can easily become trapped under the arch of the denture if it is not removed and cleaned properly. Once bacteria combines with food debris and sugars, it produces a foul-smelling Sulphur compound.
Plaque is also likely to develop as a thin layer on the surfaces of the denture. While plaque doesn’t lead to decay like it does on your real teeth, it can host more bacteria and contribute to chronic denture breath.
Finally, denture breath could be a symptom of an infection within the gums or other soft tissues of your mouth. Any type of dental infection warrants a trip to the dentist, especially if the infection is trapped beneath your dentures or developed due to ill-fitting dentures.
Ways to Avoid Denture Breath
Dentures can quickly turn a toothless smile into a complete set of beautiful, natural-looking teeth. However, dentures do require a level of maintenance and care. This will help you avoid denture issues such as bad breath. Here are some oral hygiene steps you can take to ensure your new smile is not compromised by embarrassing breath odor:
- Clean all surfaces of your denture each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Soak your dentures using a cleaner tablet or special solution that kills 99% of odor-causing bacteria.
- Never wear your dentures to bed, as bacteria tends to feed and breed at night.
- Avoid eating odorous foods (garlic, onions, etc).
- Treat dental infections promptly by visiting your dentist.
- Get your denture relined and adjusted as needed to prevent irritation and the potential for infection.
At Village Dental, we are experts when it comes to denture care. Our prosthodontists can help you achieve the confident smile you deserve with dentures, which should always include a healthy mouth and fresh breath. If you suffer from denture breath, call today to learn about our halitosis treatments.
