elderly man receiving dentures

What Are The Best Ways To Deal With Denture Pain?

Dental care

Denture pain is a common occurrence especially after the placement of new dentures. The soreness typically lasts for a while until the mouth is fully healed. The healing process commonly takes place between 2  to 10 months depending on your body’s ability to heal. Do you feel pain under your dentures? Keep reading as we discuss the best ways to deal with denture irritation. If you feel more discomfort, you can visit Boutique Dental Care’s clinic in Chatswood today.

 

Causes of Denture Pain

There are several factors that contribute to denture pain. While it commonly takes place after a tooth extraction or placement of new dentures, negligence and poor oral care can also cause soreness.

Here are some of the potential reasons why you feel pain:

  1. pain caused by denturesBacterial infection. Dentures are supposed to be cleaned and properly maintained in order to prevent infection from bacteria. Without regular cleaning, bacteria can build up in the denture itself causing the yeast to form. The yeast will then inflame the areas near the dentures causing pain and discomfort.
  2. Incorrect fit. During the healing process, the denture wearer’s mouth gradually changes its shape. Because of this, the dentures are slowly falling out of alignment and the fit gets affected. When the dentures start to fall off, it rubs with the gums causing bone resorption to happen.
  3. Adjustment. Denture wearers may experience pain and soreness during the first few months after the placement of the dentures. Just like other dental restorations, our mouth needs some time to fully adjust with dentures as well. However, if the pain is unbearable and causes you complete discomfort, you may opt to visit your dentist again for adjustment.

 

Different Kinds Of Dentures

Dentures come in different kinds. Depending on the needs of your teeth and the structure of your mouth, your dentist might suggest one of the following to you:

  • Immediate dentures. These are designed for patients to wear right after the tooth extraction. The dentures are worn until the treatment area is fully healed which can take several months. Immediate dentures need to be re-aligned as they have the tendency to make the gums move and shrink.
  • Partial dentures. Partial dentures are the common solution when there are only a few missing teeth. They are supported by the existing teeth and are often placed in between strong natural teeth. These dentures do not usually cause issues in fit but it is still possible to happen.
  • Complete dentures. The elderly commonly wear complete dentures. This can only be worn once the whole mouth is healed and there are no visible signs of sore anymore. Complete denture wearers might experience problems in its fit as the maintenance of this can be quite crucial.

 

Dealing With Denture Pain

Experiencing pain and discomfort for a long period of time can be very irritating. Denture pain can cause you to be unproductive and might even leave you discouraged to move and do your daily chores.

Denture pain can be easily determined. If you notice redness and soreness below your dentures accompanied by pain then you are most probably suffering from denture irritation.

The pain usually goes away once your mouth is fully healed. However, if pain persists, here are some of the few things that you can do:

  • maintaining denturesKeep your dentures clean all the time. Cleaning your dentures can be time-consuming but your gums will thank you if you keep your dentures washed. This will also help in maintaining your dentures as it will keep them in pristine shape as well. You can clean your dentures every night before you go to sleep, while you’re at it, you may also want to clean your gums to prevent bacteria from building up. Place them in water every night or when you are not using them, be sure to put a cover in it as well.
  • Consider your allergies. The materials used in dentures can sometimes cause allergic reactions. If you can’t figure out why the pain does not go away, it’s probably time for you to check the materials used in making your dentures and see if you are allergic to them. The adhesive, cleansers and other composites can be the reasons why your discomfort persists. If an allergy is indeed the cause of your denture pain, consult your dentist right away.
  • Practice your dentures. On the first few days of your dentures, practice your chewing habits with soft foods. By doing this, you will be able to easily adjust with your dentures. In addition to this, keep your mouth moisturized as it will lessen the pain caused by friction.
  • Give your gums some time. If you can longer bear the pain, remove your dentures and wait until the soreness in your gums is lessened. Dentists suggest that it’s safe to remove your dentures for at least 6 hours a day to give your gums some time to rest. You can also help your gums relax by placing a hot compress on top of your jaw occasionally.
  • Give herbal remedies a try. Some of the natural resources that you can use to lessen gum inflammation include aloe vera, black tea, turmeric, salt, and cloves. This may not be a conventional way of treating soreness but herbal remedies have been proven to be a safe and effective way to alleviate pain.

People wear dentures not only for aesthetics but to restore the chewing and biting functions of their teeth as well. Unfortunately, new denture wearers typically suffer from pain and discomfort before they fully enjoy the benefits of wearing their fake teeth.

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