Half of all people who wear dentures experience periodic pain of some kind; swollen, irritated or painful gums and/or dental sores. The good news is that there are ways to ease the discomfort. If you’re suffering from denture pain, try a few of the following suggestions to treat it and prevent the pain from returning.
What causes denture sores, pain and discomfort?
A little irritation when wearing new dentures is quite common as it takes time for your mouth to adjust. Once you have had your appliance for a while, pain is usually caused by a changing mouth structure, a buildup of bacteria and/or food stuck between your gums and the denture. Your denturist can help you with the fit and education on proper cleaning will solve the food and bacteria problems. Mild, temporary pain is not a concern but call your denturist if the sore areas:
- are unusually large or extremely painful.
- haven’t healed after two weeks.
- look infected.
- are accompanied by a fever.
How should I address pain from my dentures?
There are a number of ways you can reduce the pain experienced while wearing dentures.
- Get an adjustment: Have your denture adjusted by your denturist. They will determine the exact cause of your pain and help you treat it accordingly.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water for 30 to 60 seconds (1 tsp salt to 8 oz warm water) In case you suffer from high blood pressure use warm water without salt.
- Take your dentures out at night, soaking them in a denture cleaning solution will reduce the number and amount of oral bacteria stuck to your dentures.
- Massage your gums daily to encourage circulation and reduce inflammation.
- Clean your dentures daily to remove food particles that may irritate your gums.
- Eat soft foods until the pain subsides (pudding, porridge, soup).
- Avoid sticky foods as they can cause irritation.
- Avoid triggers like hot, spicy, acidic or salty foods and beverages as these can irritate sores.
- Use quality toothpaste and mouthwash to eliminate harmful bacteria and create a healthy environment inside your mouth.
- Cloves contain eugenol which has analgesic and anti-swelling properties.
- Consider allergies: Make sure you are not allergic to your denture cleansers and adhesives.
Dentures can be painful! This occurs most often during the adjustment phase. If you stick to a proper denture care routine and practice good hygiene habits, pain should soon come under control. Consult your denturist if nagging pain persists.
Experiencing painful gums? Looking for help with denture care? Need advice on keeping your partial or full dentures clean? South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic is here to help. We enhance your oral health, aesthetics and way of life. We deliver the best possible treatment after taking the time and care to understand your needs. Our commitment to you is to provide a fast, efficient, and courteous service, with direct billing offered to most insurance providers. We love what we do. It’s who we are! Call us to schedule an appointment.
