How to Treat Bad Denture Breath

Find out all of the different ways that you can prevent and treat denture bad breath whether you’re at home or on the go

Often one of the more embarrassing things to happen in our day to day lives is bad breath. The worst part, some of us don’t know we have bad breath until we are reminded. Denture wearers are at an even higher risk of bad breath because, unfortunately, dentures tend to trap bacteria that causes bad breath. Without proper care, bad breath causing bacteria can build up and cause issues that are more serious than the embarrassment associated with having bad breath. That's why today we are going to be discussing what causes denture bad breath and steps you can take for prevention. 

What are Some of the Causes of Denture Bad Breath?

There are a few factors that lead to denture bad breath including home care habits and denture pores

Ask your dentist about preventing bad breath caused by dentures.

Denture related bad breath is most often caused by, well, your dentures. Without proper or frequent deep cleaning, dentures will begin to accumulate plaque and bacteria that causes bad breath. Forgetting to clean your dentures is exactly the same as forgetting to brush your teeth. The other issue that causes denture bad breath is that your dentures have more places for bacteria and plaque to hide. For example, bacteria can hide between the gaps in your dentures, underneath your denture arch, or in the small surface pores that exist in acrylic dentures. These pores are so small that they may be impossible to see with the naked eye and your dentures will appear to be completely smooth. However, this is not the case. Because of these small pores that can lead to bad breath, you need to take extra care to clean your dentures as frequently as possible.

How Can I Tell if I Have Denture Bad Breath?

There is an easy trick to find out if you have denture bad breath or if there may be different cause

It is sometimes tricky to identify if bad breath is caused by dentures or some other issue.

It is entirely possible that denture bad breath has snuck up on you and you’re unsure whether you need to take extra care when cleaning your dentures. To find out whether or not your dentures are causing bad breath, you can simply remove them and place them in a small plastic sandwich bag. Once you have let your dentures sit in the plastic bag for a few minutes, open the bag and see if you notice any bad breath smell. If you notice that your dentures in the plastic bag smell like bad breath, then the problem is coming from your dentures. If you do not notice any smell associated with your dentures, you may have a different underlying cause of bad breath that will need to be assessed by your dentist.

People who wear dentures still need to consistently visit their dentist to make sure their dentures are fitting properly and there aren’t any underlying gum issues. If you neglect to attend regular checkups, you may miss issues like improper denture fit which can lead to mouth sores and infections. 

Overall, with thorough cleaning and regular dental check-ins you can maintain a healthy and confident smile with dentures.

How Can I Prevent Denture Bad Breath?

We’re going over some of the easy ways you can keep your breath smelling fresh — including daily habits and recommended denture cleaners

Soaking your dentures is one of the most important steps to fresh breath.

If you are searching for ways to combat denture bad breath, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to find out how you can maintain fresh breath with dentures.

Remember to Soak Your Dentures Overnight

Soaking your dentures is the best way to make sure that your breath stays fresh. When you go to bed, always remember to remove your dentures and place them in a cup full of denture cleaning solution. There are a wide variety of different cleaning solutions, so you should ask your dentist which one is right for you. While you are soaking your dentures, brush your gums before bed to remove any lingering bacteria that could be hanging out on or around your gums. 

In a pinch, you can do a quick soak for 10 to 15 minutes in a denture cleaning solution — some cleaning is better than nothing. However, to really get a deep denture clean, you need to let them soak overnight. Ideally, you should soak them every night while you are asleep.

Pay Careful Attention to Your Brushing

Then next morning, after your dentures have been soaking all night, you need to make sure to brush your dentures. Should any plaque remain on your dentures, brushing them after a soak will get rid of any plaque that stuck around overnight. Then, once your dentures are completely brushed, you should brush over your tongue and gums before replacing your dentures. 

Once you’ve completed these steps, you are ready for a day of fresh breath and bright smiles. 

Try Smilesaver Denture Cleaner to Refresh Your Dentures

What should you do if you notice your breath isn’t as fresh as it was in the morning, but you’re out of the house and don’t have a toothbrush on hand? That’s where Smilesaver­® comes in to save the day. Smilesaver® is a cleansing and freshening spray that helps eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria on orthodontic devices — including dentures! Many of us lead busy lives and don’t have time to refresh our dentures while we’re out of the house. Now, all you have to do is carry a bottle of Smilesaver® and you can keep your breath smelling fresh all day long. Think of it like hand sanitizer for your dentures — no running water required!

Now that we know a bit more about how to ward off denture bad breath, you can use our tips to improve your oral health and your confidence while wearing dentures. Smilesaver® is the fastest and easiest way to clean your dentures on the go and help eliminate the bacteria that causes bad breath. Visit our website to learn even more about Smilesaver® and other accessories that you can to keep your breath smelling fresh!