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Why do my dentures smell? The answer lies on the surface of the denture rather than inside the material. Dentures collect plaque, food particles and bacteria just as natural teeth do, and those deposits create the unpleasant odour. A steady daily routine keeps denture odour under control, whether you wear a full set, a partial or newly made custom dentures.
Quick Overview
- Denture odour comes from plaque, food debris and bacteria on the denture surface.
- The fitting surface against your gums is the easiest to miss when you brush.
- Dry mouth and certain medications reduce saliva, which makes smelly dentures more noticeable.
- Daily cleaning, a timed denture soak, and a six-monthly denture check-up keep dentures fresh.
Below, we cover the causes, safe cleaning and when the smell needs checking.
What Makes Dentures Smell Bad?
Dentures smell when plaque and food debris settle on surfaces you cannot see, and the side against your gums is the easiest to miss when you brush. A denture gathers plaque and traps food in the same way teeth do, so the odour comes from those deposits, not the denture itself.
Loose food particles slip under the plate as you eat and sit against the gums until you remove your dentures, so a quick rinse after meals helps. Fine scratches build up on the acrylic over the years, and plaque can settle into those small gaps. If you have remaining teeth, plaque on them and on your tongue adds to the smell.
What Makes Denture Odour Worse?
Saliva washes the mouth and dilutes the sulphur compounds that cause the smell. When saliva drops away, those compounds build up, so a dry mouth makes the smell more noticeable. Some medicines reduce the amount of saliva you have, including allergy tablets, antidepressants, painkillers and blood pressure medicines.
How often you clean matters too. Denture wearers who clean less than once a day carry close to 70 per cent more plaque on the denture, and more of the compounds behind bad breath, than daily cleaners.
How to Clean Dentures and Keep Them Fresh
Remove your dentures and clean them morning and night with a soft-bristled brush, mild soap and cold water, then rinse well. Regular toothpaste scratches acrylic and opens up more places for plaque, so use a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Gently brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth before the dentures go back in, and brush any remaining teeth with fluoride toothpaste to guard against tooth decay and gum disease.
Soak them in a denture cleaning solution for the time the manufacturer recommends, which loosens trapped food and bacteria without harming the material. Leaving them in liquid for longer than that can weaken the denture over time. Rinse them under clean water, then air-dry them overnight somewhere ventilated, which discourages bacterial growth and keeps dentures fresh.
When an Unpleasant Smell Needs Checking
Give a new routine time to work. If the smell is still there, book a denture check-up rather than scrubbing harder, which scratches the surface. Arrange a denture consultation sooner if the odour comes with sore or bleeding gums, or a denture that moves as you eat. Your prosthetist can check the fit and examine the tissue underneath.
Talk to Custom Denture Clinic About Denture Odour
When a denture still smells after proper care, the cause is usually its surface, its fit or the gums underneath. At Custom Denture Clinic, we clean and polish existing dentures, check how the fitting surface sits against your gums, and reline a denture that has shifted. Bring the denture you wear every day, so we can look at it and your gums. To arrange a time with your prosthetist, please call us on (07) 5317 1023 or (07) 5315 8076.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a crack in my denture make it smell?
A crack or chipped edge can give bacteria somewhere to sit that a brush cannot reach. Stop wearing a damaged denture and bring it in for repair.
Does denture adhesive make dentures smell?
Adhesive does not smell, but leftover adhesive can hold food debris against the plate. Clean every trace off the denture and your gums each night.
Do partial dentures smell more than full dentures?
A partial grips your remaining teeth with small clasps, and food gathers where the clasps sit. The smell is not stronger, but there are more surfaces to clean.
Can I use boiling water to clean my dentures?
No. Hot water can change the shape of the acrylic and the way your denture fits. Cold water and a soft brush are all you need.
How often should my dentures be professionally cleaned?
We recommend a professional clean at your six-monthly denture check-up, which is also when the fit gets assessed. Book sooner if you can see staining or build-up.
References
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dentures
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dentures
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