- Oral sores are a common condition among people who have received new dentures. They occur when the denture moves in your mouth.
- If gum sores keep recurring, you may need to have the surface of the denture smoothed or have denture relining. A dentist can do this for you.
- Poor denture hygiene and wearing dentures overnight can provoke sores.
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What should you do if your dentures are causing sores? Here's everything you need to know.
Dentures sore causes
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Sore spots from dentures can be caused in a couple of ways, but each has to do with how the denture forms to the gum tissue and the movement created by speaking and chewing.
Adjustment period
There is an adjustment period you must tolerate after receiving dentures. If you have immediate dentures, this adjustment period can be lengthy. An immediate denture is placed directly following tooth extractions. This is standard practice, and the immediate denture is meant to be temporary, though many patients keep them for years.
After teeth are extracted, the bone goes through a remodeling process. It changes over the following six months, which can affect how your denture fits to your gum tissue and bone. Denture adjustments during this time are common and even frequent.
There is also just an adjustment period as you get used to how dentures feel and work. Eating with dentures requires practice, and you may develop sore spots as you become accustomed to using them.
Lee explains: "I ask patients to think of it like breaking in a new pair of stiff leather shoes. No matter how perfectly the shoe is crafted, your foot is unique, and there will inevitably be a few high spots that rub and cause blisters. The denture is the rigid shoe, and your delicate gums are the soft foot."
"We cannot know precisely where those friction points will be until you have worn it for a day or two," he adds.
Poorly fitting dentures
You can also develop sore spots if your dentures do not fit properly. Remember, bones change over time. Once enough remodeling has occurred, your dentures will likely not fit well and will be very loose. A loose denture rubs the gum tissue, creating sore spots and tender gums. If this occurs after you have had your dentures for some time, you may need a new denture or a reline of your current denture.
Dentures may also develop broken teeth, cracks, and chips after much use. Just like your natural teeth, this is a common issue that can be corrected. You must refrain from attempting to smooth the denture yourself, as this could void any warranty you may have with the dentist who made the dentures.
Bacteria
Dentures must be adequately cared for; otherwise, bacteria will accumulate under the denture. A denture must be brushed at least once a day, on both the outside and inside of the denture.
Additionally, it is recommended not to wear your dentures overnight or while sleeping. Your gum tissue needs time to breathe. Additionally, wearing dentures at night can decrease saliva production, leading to a dry mouth. Bacteria proliferate in this setting.
Failing to care for your dentures properly can lead to bacterial or yeast infections in the oral cavity of denture wearers.
Best ways for painful dentures
If you are experiencing painful gums due to your denture, try alleviating your symptoms with at-home remedies until you can seek professional help.
At-home remedies
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A warm salt-water rinse will help alleviate pain and also aid in the quick healing of your gum sores. Use one teaspoon of salt mixed into eight ounces of water. You can also soak your dentures in a salt-water solution to ensure they are free from bacteria.
Cloves are also helpful in alleviating oral pain. Some drugstores sell a cream containing cloves, or you can use a clove and oil mixture to apply to the sore areas.
Most drug stores also offer small pads that you can place inside the dentures to make the area softer and cover any sharp spots. These are a temporary solution, and you should see your dental provider to smooth the rough or sharp spots inside your denture.
Professional help
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If you have sore spots from your denture, you will likely need to seek help from an emergency dental professional, as it means your denture is rubbing your gum tissue. While at-home remedies can be a temporary solution, your dentist can smooth out areas to prevent sore spots from recurring.
If more than one or two areas are causing a problem, your dentist may recommend a complete relining of your denture. The reline forms to your existing bone and gum tissue, making your denture fit better.
If you experience severe problems with your dentures, do not attempt to reline them yourself. Instead, ask your dentist to fix dentures.
How to prevent dentures sore?
In the initial transition to dentures, you may not be able to prevent sores. This is a normal process and will take a period of adjustment. However, there are some things you can do to prevent sores from getting worse or happening in the future:
Eat soft foods,
Avoid sticky foods,
Use denture adhesive, which acts as a buffer and can cover sharp spots on the denture.
Clean dentures daily,
Do not wear your dentures overnight.
FAQ
What do denture sores look like?
A denture sore presents as a red area with a white or yellow center. The tissue around the spot will be very red and inflamed.
How sore gums can affect your denture experience?
Sore gums make for a very unpleasant denture experience. They can make it unbearable to wear dentures, causing many people to forgo them. Of course, this will impact your ability to eat proper nutrition.
Are sore gums the sign you need new dentures?
Sore gums may be a sign that you need new dentures if a loose, ill-fitting denture causes them. Since the jawbone remodels over time, it is common to need more than one denture. Many patients start with an immediate denture and then have a new one fabricated months or years later.
Harry Lee, DMD
When a patient gets a new denture, the first follow-up visit is one of the most important appointments we have. They are often frustrated and in pain, pointing to a sore spot on their gums and saying, "This just does not fit." My response is always to reassure them that what they are experiencing is an entirely normal, and even necessary, part of the process.