While daily life with dentures can make it easier to eat the foods you enjoy, speak more confidently, and smile with ease, these prosthetics can also create problems over time. Your ability to care for and maintain these artificial teeth can either prolong their lifespan – keeping them in optimal shape – or lead to denture sores and discomfort. If you are experiencing this kind of issue and do not know what to do, here are four tips to help you achieve a pain-free smile.
What Causes Denture Sores to Form?
Oral sores or those that form on your gums as a result of your dentures can form because your prosthetics no longer fit properly. As time passes, your jawbone is likely to weaken and change shape. As a result, your dentures will no longer fit as snugly as they did before. Continued wear can lead to irritation that causes sores to form.
Another reason for them is food particles lodging between your dentures and gums. Accumulating bacteria and debris can irritate the soft oral tissues over time if left untreated. Poor oral hygiene habits can make this possibility a reality, which is why your dentist strongly urges good dental care when wearing dentures.
Ways to Get Rid of Denture Sores
If you want to be rid of these denture sores and return to enjoying life with a pain-free smile, you can do so by:
- Rinsing with saltwater – Combining warm water with a ¼ teaspoon of salt, you can rinse and gargle with this solution for 30 seconds. It not only reduces discomfort but also thoroughly cleans the mouth of any harmful bacteria.
- Take OTC pain relievers – When the discomfort is too much, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. There is also the option of using a topical numbing agent that can be applied directly to the sore.
- Removing dentures at night – If you are not regularly removing your dentures at bedtime, it’s time to start. This is highly encouraged, as it gives your gums and bones a break from the pressure placed on them throughout the day. It also prevents oral sores from forming and allows those already present to heal.
- Practice good oral hygiene – If food debris is accumulating underneath your dentures, make sure that you are giving your mouth and artificial teeth a thorough cleaning each day. This will stop additional sores from forming and keep existing ones from worsening.
Living with an uncomfortable set of artificial teeth doesn’t have to be a reality. By keeping these helpful tips in mind, you can be on your way to enjoying life with a smile that no longer hurts but instead feels and functions perfectly each day.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
At Grand Dental – Aurora, our talented dentists strive to deliver comfortable prosthetics to patients suffering from tooth loss. Offering customized dentures as an effective solution, we provide individuals with useful tips to keep their smile healthy and pain-free. Since the mouth and oral features can change shape over time, we also provide ways to reduce the likelihood of oral sores and complications that can occur as a result of ill-fitting dentures. If you want to learn more about what you can do to keep your artificial teeth and smile in the best possible shape, visit our website or call (630) 538-8302.