Have you ever taken your dentures out only to discover that they smell like rot or musty food? An offensive smell can be a common issue for denture wearers with poor oral hygiene, but several factors can contribute to the smell. Learning about and correcting these issues can lead to an improved scent and better overall oral health.
To discover the causes of smelly dentures and how you can stop them, continue reading. This list will help you keep your dentures fresh.
1. Accumulation of Food Debris
Food particles can become trapped between your dentures and your gums or the roof of your mouth. When left uncleaned, these particles can break down and produce an unpleasant odor.
How to Fix: Make sure to rinse your dentures after every meal. Even if you’re not near a toothbrush, running water over your prosthetic can help remove food debris before it can begin to accumulate.
2. Plaque and Bacteria
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential, even if you have dentures. If you neglect to clean your dentures, gums, and the roof of your mouth properly, odorous bacteria can proliferate.
Just like natural teeth, dentures can accumulate plaque and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Over time, these microorganisms can lead to bad breath.
How to Fix: Take your dentures out to brush them and leave them in a glass of cool water or denture solution before bed. You shouldn’t wear them while you sleep as they will trap bacteria between your prosthetic and your gums for hours.
3. Dry Mouth
Saliva helps cleanse your mouth and eliminate bacteria. However, some denture wearers may experience dry mouth. This lack of saliva carries a significantly higher risk of bad breath.
How to Fix: Be sure that you’re properly hydrating throughout the day and avoid alcohol or mouthwash with alcohol in it as it will dry out your mouth.
4. Fungal Infection
In some cases, fungal infections, such as candidiasis (oral thrush), can develop beneath dentures, causing an unpleasant smell.
How to Fix: Brush your gums, the roof of your mouth, and your tongue with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove food particles and bacteria. A tongue scraper can also do wonders for this condition, gently removing the built-up film from your tongue in a wide area.
5. Tobacco Use
If you smoke or use tobacco products, it can lead to bad breath, which can be more pronounced when wearing dentures.
How to Fix: Avoid smoking and tobacco. If you’re a smoker, consider quitting to improve your oral health and prevent bad breath. It’s not as easy as that, but there are resources readily available online to help you if you need them.
If you’re still struggling with foul-smelling dentures after trying these solutions or if your dentures have been odorous for a while, your best option is to visit your dentist for a checkup.
The cause of the bad smell may be an underlying condition that they’ll need to see to diagnose. Whatever the cause, your dentist can give you much-needed guidance and set you on the path to regain great oral health.
About the Practice
Dr. Steven Corvatto and Dr. Megan Edwards have been treating patients as a team for many years. Their attention to detail and patient-centered approach ensures that you’ll receive effective treatment that meets your needs and goals. They are passionate about people and strive to help every patient achieve a smile to be proud of. To schedule a denture consultation at Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry, call (904) 272-0800 or visit the website to explore other services.