Dentures may not be “real” teeth, but they act like the genuine article in various ways. That includes “getting smelly” as the prosthetics develop odors from regular and vigorous use. As such, you’ll need to take proper action if you want these restorations to smell clean and fresh consistently. The good news is your Greenfield dentist will help you do so! With that said, keep reading to learn why dentures sometimes get smelly and what you can do about such odors.
Why Would Dentures Smell Bad?
Before anything else, you’ll want to address a crucial question: Why would dentures smell bad in the first place? Doing so will help you see the best responses to take.
The crux of it comes down to mouth bacteria. As food particles and plaque gather in the grooves of dentures, they can become trapped and cling to your restorations’ surfaces. This buildup often results in unpleasant odors and even infections when not addressed quickly enough. Having all that plaque on your dentures can also feel physically uncomfortable.
Adding insult to injury, dentures don’t benefit much from the natural self-cleaning of saliva. The latter thoroughly “washes out” your natural teeth, tongue, and other mouth tissues, but it can’t really freshen your restorations.
How Can You Make Dentures Odor-Free?
If you really want to prevent smelly dentures, you should do the following:
Improve Your Oral Hygiene
First and foremost, try to step up your oral hygiene habits. Cleaning (and maintaining) your dentures at home will remove the bacteria that cause bad breath, thus directly addressing your issue. One good example of this move would be removing and rinsing your restorations after meals. Similarly, you’d do well to brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive cleanser.
Avoid a Dry Mouth
Saliva may not remove your dentures’ plaque, but it can keep new layers from forming. A dry mouth is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which could cling to your restorations and worsen your breath. Given these facts, do your best to keep your mouth moist going forward. This effort will reduce the number of odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.
See a Dentist for Checkups
Whether you only have a few teeth left or none at all, please keep seeing your dentist for routine checkups. These sessions will keep your mouth in good shape, and they’ll provide you with complimentary cleanings of your dentures. These dual effects will ensure your prosthetics don’t get (or stay) all that smelly.
Clearly, your new teeth needn’t curse you with bad breath. Just use the tips above to avoid smelly dentures from now on!
About the Practice
Advanced Dental Treatment Center is based in Greenfield, WI. Led by Drs. Carini, Farr, and Wagner, our practice aims to provide 5-star dentistry that any patient can trust. We thus offer a wide range of oral treatments, ranging from the preventive and cosmetic to the restorative and emergency-based. Whether your grin’s problem is big or small, rest assured that we can help you through it! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (414)-209-7465.