Getting new dentures may initially feel strange, requiring slight adjusting to fit your mouth perfectly. During this process, minor tenderness heals a day or so as the dentures seat themselves. However, this soreness can persist, revealing underlying dental problems.
Denture pain is all too familiar for many denture wearers. Roughly 12% of Australian adults with lost teeth had dentures, 42% of whom were seniors. This indicates many older Aussies relying on this dental prosthetic are prone to discomfort or pain associated with denture use.
Read on to gain insights into denture pain’s causes, symptoms, and treatment solutions to restore your radiant smile and unhindered quality of life.
What Causes Denture Pain
Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, replacing some or all your teeth. While these are removable oral appliances to aid you in chewing, recurring sore gums from frequent denture use require timely attention from your dental practitioner.
If you have persistent pain, wear your dentures for at least 24 hours before an appointment to help your dentist pinpoint the sore spots. From improper fit to infections, various culprits behind denture pain exist. Let’s explore these details further.
Improper Fit or Adjustment
When dentures are too loose, they can slide and rub against your gums, causing friction. This constant abrasion can result in sore spots and blisters, making it painful to wear them.
Conversely, too-tight dentures put excessive pressure on your gums and jaw. Constricted dentures are difficult to remove, often leading to discomfort and inflammation. Regular checkups are essential to finding the sweet spot where dentures fit snugly without being overly loose or tight.
New Dentures and Adjustment Periods
Getting used to new dentures takes time, so you might initially feel strange or uncomfortable. New dentures require slight adjustments to settle firm within the first week or two. During this period, wearing dentures always helps your mouth adapt to avoid soreness or irritation.
Pressure Sores and Rubbing
Poorly aligned dentures can inflict uneven pressure on your gums. This imbalance can lead to sore pressure, often characterised by painful red spots. These sores can be bothersome, and your dentist may need to realign them to ensure proper fit and distribute pressure evenly.
Material Sensitivities or Allergies
Some patients may experience allergic reactions or sensitivities to certain denture materials. For example, low-quality acrylic resins in dentures can trigger allergies, leading to irritation, redness, and itching. Consult your dentist for alternative options in cases of material-related allergy.
Underlying Dental Issues
As dentures rest on vacant gums or some natural teeth, bacteria can harbour within these concealed areas. These thriving bacteria can infect the gums, making denture wear painful.
Misaligned teeth are another prime cause of denture pain, notably when synthetic chompers and natural teeth don’t fit well together. Uneven bites rapidly wear tooth enamel and strain jaw joints, leading to chewing crises. At worst, uneven bite pressure can result in bone resorption.
Simply put, specialised cells called osteoclasts break down the jawbone tissues when they no longer receive stimuli from chewing or biting. This gradual decline in jawbone density and strength potentially causes teeth to loosen or fall out, affecting the fit of your dentures.
Common Symptoms of Denture Pain
Similar to other dental issues, denture pain disrupts how you eat, speak, or socialise. Discerning its symptoms early on helps you prevent further discomfort. Let’s spot the common manifestations of denture pain among wearers.
Sores or Ulcers on Gums
Poorly fitted dentures can constantly rub against your gums, irritating your mouth’s soft tissues. This consistent friction slowly scars tissues, leading to painful sores or ulcers. These gum ulcers can also make wearing dentures uncomfortable, often interfering with how you eat or speak.
Irritation and Redness
When ill-fitted dentures inadequately align with the delicate contours of the mouth, they can press soft oral tissues. This excessive bumping can cause the gums to become swollen, red, and tender. Irritated gums can cause throbbing pain with even slight jaw movement.
Difficulty Chewing or Speaking
When denture pain persists, it can be challenging to chew food or speak clearly. Patients suffering from it sometimes avoid certain tough foods to chew, impacting adequate nutrition. Due to the discomfort, patients may also experience slurring, mumbling, or hesitance to talk.
Persistent Gum Discomfort
Persistent sensitivity or gum pain can signal severe infections. Common signs to look for include redness, bleeding, or swollen gum, which require professional intervention. Advanced gum infections can result in receding gums and tooth loss, making it difficult to fit dentures well.
Denture Pain in Seniors
Oral health deteriorates with age, explaining why most denture users are older Aussie adults. Unfortunately, poorly fitted dentures pose painful consequences that can impede daily routines. Let’s explore how this issue impacts seniors and uncover ways to alleviate it.
Unique Challenges for Seniors
As seniors age, gradual body changes make them more prone to denture pain. Even well-fitted dentures can’t adjust promptly to how older people’s dental apparatus shifts in place. Here are some notable hurdles of aging causing denture discomfort:
- Bone Loss: Accelerated by missing teeth, declining jawbone density affects denture fit and stability. This gradual deterioration requires more frequent denture adjustments.
- Gum Shrinkage: Gum recedes due to bone loss, forcing dentures to become loose or ill-fitting. Poorly fitted dentures can result in rubbing, irritation, and sore spots.
- Reduced Oral Sensitivity: Decreased sensation associated with older age makes it difficult to perceive sore spots or irritations caused by improperly fitted dentures.
Addressing Age-Related Issues
Consistent dental checkups allow dentists to monitor oral changes, including gum recession and bone shrinkage. Subtle dental changes may require dentures to be frequently adjusted, relined or replaced to maintain proper fitting. Doing so proactively helps seniors prevent discomfort and maintain pristine oral health.
Caregiver Tips for Assisting Seniors with Dentures
Caregivers are pivotal in monitoring signs of discomfort or pain, including redness, swelling, or spot sores in the mouth. When aiding elders, listen to their complaints about chewing difficulties and offer a soft diet as needed. Assisting with daily denture cleaning and proper use also helps seniors avoid any discomfort or infection.
How to Relieve Denture Pain
Denture pain can be managed through professional care or at-home remedies. Below are some actionable strategies for alleviating denture discomfort and restoring a pain-free life.
Professional Denture Adjustments
Professionally adjusted dentures ensure a snug and comfortable fit. Dental prosthetists can precisely adjust the last details to ensure your dentures sit and function correctly. Poorly fitted dentures can become loose and irritate or scar your gums without professional aid.
Relining and Rebasing Dentures
Dentures loosen over time in response to mouth changes. Relining fixes this by adding new materials to the dentures’ inner surface to ensure a better fit. If the denture base is worn out, rebasing can replace it with a sturdier foundation while preserving your natural teeth.
Using Denture Adhesives
Adhesives are useful at-home solutions to avoid denture slippage. Clean and dry your dentures thoroughly so the adhesive can bond better. Apply ample amounts in thin strips or dots to prevent overflowing, and remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Home Remedies for Immediate Relief
While waiting for your next dental appointment, try some home remedies for temporary pain relief. Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater soothes irritated gums, while over-the-counter pain relief gels help numb sore spots. Follow the packaging instructions for safe, effective use.
Meanwhile, a gentle gum massage boosts blood circulation and relieves tension. While these only provide momentary comfort, it’s still best to consult your dentist with recurring denture pain.
Preventing Denture Pain
Can denture pain be prevented? While oral pain has varying causes, many denture wearers experience minimal or no discomfort on most occasions. Here are some preventative measures to help wearers sidestep denture discomfort or pain:
- Regular Dental Checkups: Like natural teeth, dentures require routine checkups to ensure they are intact and fit perfectly. Professional cleaning during dental visits also helps remove plaques and decay, curbing the risks of gum irritation and infection.
- Optimal Denture Hygiene: Clean your dentures twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and adequate cleanser. Immerse your dentures in a cleaning solution overnight to cleanse difficult-to-reach areas. Place in water when not in use to avoid drying them out.
- Dietary Considerations: Opt for soft, easily chewable foods during the adjustment period. Try cutting food into bite-size pieces to make chewing easier. Once your mouth adjusts, slowly reintroduce tough foods, but not too hard, to avoid denture breakage.
- Use Hypoallergenic Dentures: High-quality, metal-free dentures are less likely to cause allergic reactions than traditional ones. These allergy-free components provide a better experience for those wearers with sensitivities.
When to See a Dentist for Denture Pain
If denture pain persists or intensifies, it signals an underlying issue requiring prompt medical intervention. Such recurring discomfort may indicate chronic gum sores, infections, or trauma. That’s why proactive denture adjustments are critical to avoid gum irritation and damage, which could potentially become severe complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is denture pain normal for new wearers?
Yes, mild discomfort is quite common for new wearers. While new dentures take time to get used to, the adjustment period may vary from a few weeks to months. However, consult your dentist promptly if the pain intensifies with severe gum soreness, swelling, or bleeding.
What can I do to stop my dentures from hurting?
Short-term relief for denture pain includes rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater or using over-the-counter pain relievers to soothe sore spots. You can also remove and soak your dentures at night to recover from irritation. Moreover, routine checkups ensure dentures are properly fit and infection-free.
How often should dentures be adjusted?
Most people require adjustments every six months during routine checkups. However, older patients may need more frequent adjustments, considering oral health deteriorates with age. If you notice any signs of denture wear, discomfort, or looseness, consult your dentist for a timely intervention.
What causes sores under my dentures?
Ill-fitting dentures can bump and rub against your gums, irritating your gum’s soft tissues. This constant friction pressing your gums can lead to sores and ulcers. Neglecting these spot sores increases your risk of denture stomatitis and other severe oral infections.
Can seniors avoid denture pain altogether?
While avoiding denture pain is impossible for most wearers, proactive measures exist to reduce discomfort. These include regular checkups to ensure pain-free, properly fitted dentures. Robust oral hygiene and diet are critical to keeping gums healthy and preventing complications. Adequate denture adhesives avoid slippage, reducing potential irritation and distress.
Get Your Perfectly Fitted Dentures With Us
While most denture wearers experience discomfort, avoiding persistent pain requires optimal oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle habits. One prime solution to prevent denture pain is ensuring a perfect fit through routine checkups to avoid further complications.
Aesthetic Dental Clinic personalises high-quality dentures to ensure a superior fit. Our expert dental artisans craft personable dentures using advanced technology in our in-house lab. We customise dental solutions, whether you need partial dentures, complete dentures, or removable dentures.
Contact us at 02 4655 4438 or book an appointment for top-notch expert denture solutions.
