Broken Denture: Bring the Pieces to Your Dentist
Contact a dentist for urgent advice and ask whether your denture can be repaired.
ArticlesTopic 08
Breath & Mouth
Bad breath, dry mouth and morning breath, and the quiet worry that someone can tell.
Breath & MouthConversation script
Dentures in a Care Home: Ask About Name Marking
Discuss identification arrangements with the resident's permission.
Breath & MouthMyth buster
Charcoal Toothpaste: Does It Whiten, and Is It Safe for Fillings and Enamel?
Black charcoal toothpastes and powders promise whiter teeth and a detoxed mouth. A dental association review found no solid evidence for the claims, lab studies found little whitening, and some products contain no fluoride.
Breath & MouthMyth buster
Cold Sore Tingling: Do Not Wait for a Blister Before Taking Precautions
Cold sores can be contagious before a visible blister appears.
Can Hot Water Damage Your Complete Dentures?
Check the soaking instructions before reaching for hot water.
Breath & MouthGuide
Cracked, Sore Mouth Corners After 50: Angular Cheilitis, Dentures and What Helps
Red, split corners of the mouth that won't heal with lip balm often have a cause you can address. A medical review links them to yeast and bacteria, saliva pooling from loose dentures or deepening lines, dry mouth and low iron or B vitamins. Here is what to check before buying another tube of balm.
Breath & MouthEvidence check
Do You Need a Dental Cleaning Every Six Months? What the Evidence Shows
The twice-a-year checkup is a habit, not a rule written in research. A Cochrane review found routine cleanings made little difference to gum inflammation in adults without severe gum disease, and a 2023 review suggests visits based on your personal risk. After 50, your risk may well call for more visits, not fewer.
Breath & MouthMyth buster
Dental Veneers: Removing a Veneer Does Not Undo Enamel Removal
Ask what tooth preparation would involve before agreeing to veneers.
No Lead Apron for a Dental X-Ray? Ask About the Imaging Plan
The ADA explains why shielding can interfere with images; your dental team can explain its practice and your imaging needs.
Breath & MouthExplainer
Dry-Mouth Spray: Ask About Acidity If You Have Your Own Teeth
Artificial saliva products differ; ask a pharmacist to check your exact one.
Breath & MouthConversation script
Fixed Retainer After Braces: Who Checks It Now?
Clarify ongoing dental checks and whom to contact about your already-fitted bonded retainer.
Breath & MouthEvidence check
Treating Gum Disease Can Lower Your A1c: What a Cochrane Review Found
If you have type 2 diabetes and gum disease, a deep cleaning isn't only about your teeth. A Cochrane review of 35 trials found periodontal treatment lowered A1c by about 0.4 percentage points three to four months later, a meaningful improvement. Here is what that treatment involves and what to ask.
