While dentures are a popular solution for missing teeth and help patients enjoy their food without experiencing pain or sensitivity, it comes with certain drawbacks. One of the most commonly complained-about drawbacks is the bad smell. Your dentures give off a bad smell when certain bacteria that cause bad breath accumulate inside them. 

To prevent your dentures and breath from smelling bad, you must clean them at least twice daily and use the right techniques. There are also other measures you can take to prevent smells. If you are struggling to eat your food or experiencing issues with missing teeth, consult with a dentist for partial dentures in Columbia today. 

Why do your dentures smell bad?

The primary cause of the bad smell from your dentures is your dentures themselves. When you do not clean your dentures using the proper techniques daily, bacteria accumulates inside the small gaps and crevices and gives off a bad smell. You might confuse this with bad breath, but you may notice that it is not your breath but your dentures that smell. 

Acrylic dentures have small pores on the surface that are not visible to the naked eye. While the surface may look like natural teeth with a smooth surface, it has tiny pores when seen through the microscope. Therefore, food particles may remain stuck inside these pores if you do not brush and clean your dentures daily after every meal. 

If you are unsure whether your dentures smell in the first place, take them out and put them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag. After a few minutes, open the bag and take a whiff. If the bag smells like an unpleasant odor, your dentures are the problem. 

Ways to prevent your dentures from smelling bad

• Soak your dentures overnight: It is crucial to take them out before going to sleep and soak them overnight, as it removes 99.9% of the bacteria that accumulated throughout the day. 
• Use cleaning tools: Use dentist-recommended cleaning tools to remove food particles and bacteria from your dentures for effective cleaning. You can also use mouthwash. 
• Regular denture removal: Not removing your dentures regularly from time to time allows bacteria to accumulate and make your mouth smell bad. Removing them allows you to clean and wipe your gums covered by the dentures. 
• Drink water throughout the day: Drinking enough water throughout the day will ensure the cleanliness of your mouth. When your mouth is dry, saliva cannot wash away bacteria that can contribute to a bad odor.