Toothaches: Cause, Remedies and Long-term Solutions

Posted on: 18 May 2016

Denture stomatitis occurs when the sections of your gums that are in contact with your dentures become inflamed. It can be quite common, but this does not mean that it's something you need to tolerate. The gums might simply feel a little irritated, or they might in fact become painful. If you've ever suffered from inflamed gums when wearing your dentures, then it's time to look at some of the cause of denture stomatitis, as well as some straightforward ways to get rid of this annoyance.

Fungus Problems

Denture stomatitis is essentially an abundance of candida albicans, which is a type of fungus that can cause yeast infections. It greatly contributes to opportunistic oral infections, which means it can grow in your mouth when the conditions are right. The presence of your dentures with the dental plate pressing against your gums can lead to candida albicans, especially when coupled with incorrect oral hygiene. So what are some ways to prevent from building up on and around your dentures?

Proper Cleaning

The prosthetic teeth contained in a set of dentures will not decay as natural teeth might, but you still need to keep them clean (along with the rest of your mouth). Clean your dentures with an effervescent cleaning tablet (the kind that begins to fizz when you drop it into a glass of water). Brush any remaining natural teeth as per usual, and you can finish with an antibacterial mouthwash (as recommended by your dentist).

Allow Your Gums to Rest

Candida albicans has more of a chance to develop when your gums are in constant contact with your dentures. This is why it's important to remove your dentures at night, even though you might find it easier to sleep when your mouth feels "complete." Get into the habit of sleeping without your dentures, and it's really just a case of training yourself to get used to it. Sleeping without your dentures will not necessarily prevent candida albicans, but it's an effective way to minimise its impact.

Other Issues

Diabetes and other conditions that cause a compromised immune system can lead to an abundance of candida albicans. A compromised immune system is not able to repel the fungus as effectively as a standard immune system (remember that it's considered to be an opportunistic infection). Those without a compromised immune system will find that their bodies are able to repel the fungus quite effectively when proper denture hygiene is maintained. If you have a compromised immune system for any reason and are also affected by denture stomatitis, please have a word with your doctor. Prescription antibiotics might be needed to combat your denture stomatitis.

So while the annoyance of denture stomatitis might be rather common, it's not something that you have to put up with.