Are Your Dentures Causing Your Bad Breath?
by Lillian Dixon
Dentures and bad breath don't have to go hand in hand, but if you're someone who wears dentures and has noticed that your breath is becoming increasingly unpleasant, it's important to find out why.
Full or Partial Dentures
Firstly, do you wear full or partial dentures? If it's the latter, your breath issues may not be directly related to your dentures. Untreated tooth decay or a comparable problem might be playing a role. The uncontrolled influx of oral bacteria attacking your teeth may be contributing to your bad breath. Addressing this problem is always important, but for someone with partial dentures, it can be critical. If one of your natural teeth has been fitted with a clasp to serve as an abutment tooth, holding your dentures in place, any deterioration (or loss) of this tooth can mean your dentures will no longer fit.
Overnight Wear
If you wear full dentures, then another concern is causing your bad breath. If you've gotten into the bad habit of leaving your dentures in your mouth overnight, this must stop immediately. Nocturnal denture-wearing allows more time for oral bacteria to colonise the surface of your prosthesis, and this can have a cumulative effect on your breath. Your dentures should be removed each night and soaked. Opt for a denture-specific antibacterial cleanser, instead of plain water—which will help to improve the smell of your breath. In some cases, merely soaking your dentures overnight won't be enough. It can help to brush your dentures, using a toothbrush and toothpaste manufactured specifically for dentures.
Denture Materials
You might be in the unfortunate situation of taking the best possible care of your dentures (and any natural teeth that might remain), but still have breath that's less than pleasant. Consider the specifics of your dentures. Some models are entirely acrylic, and this material is porous. Although other dentures can still have acrylic components, the overall density of the dental prosthesis is higher, making it harder for odour-causing bacteria to infiltrate the dentures. This is especially true with computer designed and manufactured dentures, as opposed to dentures made from a manual mould. In this case, upgrading your dentures may be the best way forward.
Your breath doesn't have to suffer just because you wear dentures. However, there are a few breath-related issues that are specific to dentures, so it's important to solve the mystery, allowing you to take the required action to improve your breath.
For more information about dentures, contact a local dentist.
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About Me
As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.