It’s very basic: Dentures should be comfortable and not cause pain. If you have pain, that’s a signal it’s time for a checkup.
Dentures that sit snugly on the gums and don’t slide are usually comfortable. It is when ill-fitting dentures or old dentures rub against gums, leading to soreness and swelling, that problems arise. Left untreated, the pain will increase, as will the chance of infection.
Denture pain can be prevented and treated through regular care, routine relines, checkups, and having your denture remade every 5 to 7 years.
Causes
Even if your dentures fit properly at one time, they may not fit now. Normal wear may have altered the original denture or, with time, your mouth has changed. Patients experience 1mm of bone loss every year resulting in shrinking of your jaw and cause your dentures to fit poorly. Those poorly fitting dentures then rub against the remaining bone, causing more bone loss.
Bone loss or bone atrophy under a denture is inevitable. The only way to hold bone is to have implants. See our article on bone loss. On top of that, gum tissue can change, and throwing off the fit of your dentures.
Over time, your once-comfortable dentures are now painful and causing you problems. When this happens, your dentures need to be adjusted, relined, or replaced.
The Texas Denture Clinic in Fort Worth is skilled in solving the problem of ill-fitting dentures. Unlike other dentists, we have focused on dentures since we opened our doors in 1980. With our on-site laboratory, we provide the denture repair services and fast turnaround our patients appreciate.
Common Problems
Do not put off seeing your dentist when your dentures become loose and rub against your gums. Loose fitting dentures not only cause discomfort, but can make you susceptible to infection. Problems caused by ill-fitting dentures include:
- Gum and mouth irritation
- Problems eating, leading to poor nutrition or malnutrition
- Problems speaking
- Dentures that move in your mouth
- A dull pain in or around the ears
- A clicking or snapping noise when chewing
- Headaches
- Infections in the mouth
Mouth Infections
Two mouth infections are linked to wearing dentures:
- Cheilosis is a painful infection causing inflammation and cracking at the corners of the mouth. It is caused by overgrowth of yeast, which accumulates in moist areas of your mouth if your dentures don’t fit properly. Well-fitting dentures prevent cheilosis.
- Stomatitis is another infection caused by too much yeast, but it can go unnoticed. Symptoms, when present, may appear as small red bumps on the roof of the mouth or mouth redness, especially under upper dentures.
Both infections can be treated with medicine and proper denture care.
More Information
Dentures are an important part of your life. In addition to improving self-esteem, dentures are a cornerstone of good health. If dentures cause pain, you may eat less or eat softer foods that are not nutritional, such as macaroni and cheese, puddings, and ice cream. Poor nutrition is detrimental to your health.
Denture pain can be prevented and treated through regular denture care and checkups. If your dentures are causing you pain or if you want a preventative checkup to avoid problems, please call us for a consultation. We specialize in dentures.