When attempting to determine if the source of the odor is your dentures, place them in a plastic bag for several minutes, if your oral odor is reproduced within the bag you can be confident that your dentures are to blame.

Dentures are in continual contact with saliva, food, drink and billions of bacteria, as a result they develop a characteristic odor after a period of use.  

Not only do the dentures themselves tend to get bacteria and organic material in the microscopic pores and spaces between denture base and teeth, but the denture surface that is in contact with your tissues can collect a great deal of bacteria, yeast, fungi, food particles and shedding cells from the tissue surface. These break down into the volatile organic compounds, (VOCs) which are very similar to the bad breath compounds that people with natural teeth have.

Although brushing is important, it is usually, not enough to just brush your dentures and stick them back in your  mouth.  Unless instructed otherwise by your dentist, take your denture(s) out at night, and leave them soaking in an antiseptic solution (several commercial varieties are available) while you sleep.

If your dentures already have odor, your dentist can treat them in an ultrasonic bath, with some cleaning solution.

In addition to soaking your dentures, you should brush the roof of your mouth, cheeks, and gums with toothpaste.

Send mail to  WebMaster@SleepDisordersDentistry.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Copyright ©2004 John S Viviano DDS; SleepDisordersDentistry.com, All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer

Last modified: October 17, 2007