With any major life change, there are bound to be some growing pains. That’s just as true for dentures as it is for anything else.
If you’ve gotten dentures recently, you may be dealing with a fair amount of sores on your gums. After all, your mouth isn’t really all that used to have a piece of acrylic pressed against it. These sores will become less prevalent with time, but until then, here are some things you can do to make your situation more comfortable.
Take Breaks
First of all, you shouldn’t feel like you have to force yourself to wear your dentures if you’re feeling uncomfortable. If your sores are becoming more and more irritated, it may be a good idea to take out your prosthetic to give your mouth a break.
As a reminder, it’s also strongly recommended that you not wear your dentures to bed. Take your dentures out to soak overnight—this will both let your gums breathe and disinfect your prosthetic.
Rinse With Saltwater
Saltwater has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which makes it a popular home remedy for a wide array of mouth sores. Combine ¼ cup of warm water with ¼ teaspoon of salt and swish this around in the mouth for around 30 seconds. While the taste may not be pleasant, this is a time-tested remedy for mouth sores.
Start with Soft Foods
If you’re using your dentures to eat, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your gums at each meal. That’s perfectly fine in the long run—it’s what your dentures are designed to do—but in the beginning, that may make denture sores a bit worse. You might try switching to a diet of softer foods for a while until you get more used to eating with your prosthetic in.
Keep Up With Hygiene
Denture sores will eventually heal on their own, but they can’t do that effectively if they become infected. That’s why you need to be thorough with your dental hygiene, especially if you have denture sores.
In addition to disinfecting your prosthetic, you should gently brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth twice a day to keep them free of bacterial buildup.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Camenzuli is a dentist who doesn’t just stop at providing excellent dental care. He goes above and beyond to get to know his patients on a personal level and to ensure that they feel attended to through every step of treatment. Dr. Camenzuli received his degree from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, and he has since earned the title of Fellow from the Academy of General Dentistry.
If you have any questions about dentures, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (504) 584-4225.