Bite Back at Denture Sores with These Home Remedies

Dentures have allowed countless patients to enjoy complete, beautiful, and functional smiles after extensive tooth loss. While these remarkable appliances should fit amazingly well when you first get them due to how they are carefully crafted based on precise measurements of your mouth, they may cause discomfort if they lose their fit over time. Here’s a brief guide to what causes denture sores as well as a few tips for getting rid of them.

What Causes Denture Sores?

Denture sores are uncomfortable oral injuries that can arise from several causes such as:

• The dentures no longer fitting: Poorly fitting dentures can slide around on the gums, which can wear down the soft tissue and cause sores to form due to friction.
• Poor oral hygiene: Insufficient oral cleaning practices can allow bacteria and food residue to build up along your gums. When you wear your dentures on top of these accumulations, they can rub this debris into your gum tissue, which can cause oral injuries and infections.
• Continuous denture wear: Neglecting to remove your dentures for at least eight hours daily will deprive your gums of the circulation they need to heal and fight infections properly while also allowing bacteria-breeding plaque and food debris to accumulate beneath your appliances.

In some cases, denture sores can become infected, which results in greater discomfort and may require the attention of your dentist to resolve.

What Are Some Home Remedies for Denture Sores?

A few home remedies for denture sores include:

• Giving your mouth a break: If your dentures have been causing sores lately, you may try simply going a day or two without wearing them so your gums can rest and heal for a while. This can resolve many minor cases of denture sores.
• Saltwater rinse: Combining one cup of water with one teaspoon of salt water will produce an effective and non-toxic oral rinse that can help kill bacteria and dislodge debris from your gums.
• A thorough oral hygiene session: Giving your gums a good brushing can eliminate irritating plaque and food debris clinging to them. Just make sure to be gentle when cleaning around your sores.
• Using denture adhesive: Many patients find that using a cream, powder, or strip-based adhesive helps their dentures fit more securely so they don’t irritate the gums.
• Over-the-counter pain medication: Use this as instructed to reduce discomfort and soreness. Oral analgesic treatments can be great options for denture sores.

Excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits are the best way to prevent gum infections and keep your dentures in excellent shape. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best method for eliminating your denture sores.

About the Author

Mark D. Medaugh earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania as a Pierre Fauchard Scholar. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Association, and his office in Belchertown offers general, cosmetic, emergency, and reconstructive dentistry as well as denture services. If you are concerned about denture sores, contact his office online or dial (413) 323-4335.