Have you noticed that friends and loved ones move away from you when you open your mouth? Maybe you've even noticed your own stinky breath when you talk and breathe with your mouth open. Denture breath can be quite a nuisance, and most every denture wearer suffers from it from time to time. Thankfully, there are some ways you can get rid of this smelly breath — both in the short term and in the long term.

Brush your dentures.

Even if you're properly rinsing your dentures and storing them in solution each night, this may not be enough. There may be some bacteria lingering in the grooves between your denture "teeth." These bacteria are responsible for your terrible breath. The best way to get rid of them is by brushing your dentures. Choose a soft toothbrush, and apply a good amount of toothpaste. Then, remove your dentures and start brushing away. Be thorough. Rinse the dentures, and then brush them again before rinsing them more thoroughly.

Rinse your mouth and brush your tongue/gums.

It's common for denture wearers to skip their oral hygiene routine because, after all, they don't have any natural teeth to care for anymore. But proper oral hygiene is important for keeping oral bacteria at bay on your tongue and gums. Take a soft toothbrush with some toothpaste, and gently brush your gums. Then, give your tongue a good brushing. If this makes you gag, you can use a tongue scraper instead. These are sold at local pharmacies, and you use them by reaching towards the back of your tongue and then slowly pulling forward.

Once you're done brushing, rinse your mouth out with a good antiseptic mouthwash. If you don't have antiseptic mouthwash, you can use a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide (the type used to clean wounds — it typically has instructions for use as mouthwash on the back, too) and half water. 

See your dentist about permanent odors.

If you still notice smelly odors after fully cleaning your mouth and your dentures, then it's time to make an appointment with your dentist. You may have an oral infection that's contributing to the odors, or there may be some micro-cracks in your dentures where bacteria are hiding out, unable to be removed by brushing. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection or recommend replacing your dentures.

You don't have to go on living with denture breath. With the advice above, you can have fresh breath again. For more information, contact local professionals like Linden  Richard V DDS.