Dentures And Gum Sores: What You Need To Know

Dentures easily rank among the greatest achievements of modern dentistry, allowing aging patients to enjoy both the cosmetic and the functional benefits of a full set of teeth. However, enthusiasm for the benefits of dentures should not obscure the fact that they can have certain drawbacks of their own, especially for those who are new to dentures.

Whether you are a new dentures patient or are simply preparing for a time when you might need them, read on if you would like to learn more about one of the most frequently encountered side effects of dentures. This article will talk about gum sores caused by dentures, as well as what you can do to prevent this common problem.

Gum sores in denture wearers tend to stem from three particular issues. The first is simply newness. Those who have just received their first pair of dentures often suffer from sores as they get used to the experience of inserting and using their dentures. Fortunately, such gum sores generally heal as the patient grows more comfortable with their dentures.

A more alarming cause of gum sores are dentures that no longer fit correctly. This issue naturally afflicts those who have had their dentures for a longer period of time. Ill-fitting dentures often suffer from instability and/or an inability to adhere fully to the gums. Dentures that are loose will move around much more when you chew, thus leading to an increased amount of friction.

Finally, it is good to recognize that gum sores can also stem from a lack of proper hygiene. The specific problem here has to do with food that has become trapped between your gums and the top of the dentures. This may affect the ability of the dentures to bond with your gums. And because such food particles will also attract bacteria, it can increase the likelihood that a gum sore will become infected.

The best way to prevent gum sores caused by dentures involves having scheduling regular checkups with your dentist. Many people overlook the fact that the shape of your gums is not a static factor. The contours of your mouth will continue to change as time goes on. Those who fail to recognize this often assume that, once they have been fitted for a pair of dentures, it will last them for the rest of their life.

Eventually, this attitude will lead to an incomplete fit between denture and gums- and hence to a much greater prevalence of gum sores. Of course, even those who are vigilant about receiving regular checkups may suffer from gum sores. Reduce the likelihood by practicing good denture hygiene.

Proper denture hygiene involves brushing just as with normal teeth. It is also imperative that you remove your dentures at night and place them in a container filled with denture specific soaking solution. Such solutions can effectively kill up to 99.9% of the germs that may colonize a pair of dentures. This will help to prevent gum irritation, and thus keep sores at bay.