For most patients, dentures offer a comfortable and reliable form of tooth replacement. Unfortunately, in some cases, denture wearers start to experience pain related to their prosthetic. What causes this issue, and what can you do about it? Certainly, you should request an appointment with your dentist. In the meantime, you may gain some helpful information by reading this basic guide on denture sores and how to get rid of them.
What Causes Denture Sores?
There are a number of reasons why denture sores may occur. The two most common are:
- Ill-fitting dentures. If your dentures do not fit properly, they may continually shift around in your mouth and rub against your gum tissues. Over time, this can lead to significant discomfort. You might even develop some small lesions.
- Poor oral hygiene. If you make missteps in keeping your denture clean, bacteria and food particles could accumulate on its bottom. This can lead to discomfort, sores, infections, unwanted odors, and other issues.
How to Help Denture Sores Heal
In most cases, denture sores clear up in 7 – 10 days. You can facilitate your body’s healing process and minimize your discomfort by taking a few simple steps:
- Use pain management products. Topical anesthetics and over-the-counter pain medications can calm inflammation, reduce pain, and make your recovery a bit easier.
- Rinse regularly with salt water. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Swish the solution around your mouth several times each day. Salt water has a reputation for reducing inflammation and encouraging healing in the oral tissues.
- Do not wear your denture overnight. Removing your prosthetic for several hours at a time can give your gums a chance to breathe, rest, and recover.
- Change your diet. Do not eat anything that could worsen the sore, such as crunchy or hard items. Try to eat soft foods that require little to no chewing.
- Keep an eye out for signs of infection. If a denture sore begins to bleed, becomes extremely swollen, produces pus, or shows other signs of infection, call your dentist ASAP. You may need antibiotics.
How to Prevent Future Sores
You can reduce the chances that you will develop sores in the future by taking some precautions:
- Inquire about a reline. If your dentures do not fit well, ask your dentist about getting them adjusted so they will fit snugly but comfortably on your gums.
- Improve your oral hygiene. You should gently brush your gums and thoroughly clean your denture at least once a day. Ask your dental team for tips on which techniques and products you should use.
- Ask about implant dentures. Implant dentures are stabilized in the mouth by prosthetic tooth roots. They cannot slip around in the mouth, so they are very unlikely to cause sores.
Denture sores can be a painful, annoying problem. Use the tips in this blog post to maintain a healthy, comfortable smile.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has been serving our community for decades. In our Woodbridge office, we are proud to offer traditional dentures, implant dentures, and denture maintenance services. If you have questions or concerns about how to care for your prosthetic teeth or your mouth, we are ready to speak with you. Get in touch with our friendly team at 203-409-2535.