Most people are paranoid that their breath smells bad at some point.
Unfortunately, according to our dentists at our clinic, people with dentures may be even more prone to bad breath as food particles become trapped.
But you don’t have to just surrender yourself to bad breath. Our dentists have some tips for you to help you avoid bad breath that develops around your dentures.
Gently Clean Your Dentures After Meals
In general, what causes bad breath is calcium and plaque buildup, which can harden and trap odors. To prevent these from accumulating, you can take some time to brush your dentures after eating.
You don’t need to remove it for a quick brushing.
Brush Your Gum and Tongue
The soft tissue of the mouth is another important area that needs to be cleaned. After removing your daily dentures, gently brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth with a soft-bristled brush. Gums can be a little sensitive after a day of wearing your dentures, so be gentle and don’t rub them. You can also use mouthwash for that extra fresh feeling, but it shouldn’t replace brushing.
Use Denture Adhesive
Use plenty of denture adhesive to help prevent food particles from getting stuck between your dentures and gums. When the adhesive is in place, it creates a seal between your gums and dentures, helping prevent food from slipping through.
Dental Floss between Implanted Dentures
If you have opted for implanted dentures, even if they look and act more like your natural teeth than traditional dentures, you will still need to clean around them.
Besides brushing, be sure to floss the areas where your gums meet your implanted dentures. You can use a floss designed to be threaded between the gums and dentures, or simply use a floss threader to pull regular floss into the right position.
Deeply Clean Your Dentures Every Night
Finally, but most importantly, make sure you thoroughly clean your dentures every night. Using a soft-bristled brush, go to all areas you can and cannot reach while your dentures are in your mouth. After brushing and rinsing, leave overnight in a bowl of water.
You can add a denture cleaning tablet to the water to make sure everything is clean. Follow the instructions on the cleaner’s box for how long you should soak your dentures in water.
If you need more help with your dentures, contact us.