Common Dentures Related Health Problems - Denture Stomatitis

Older people wearing dentures commonly experience a condition called denture induced stomatitis.  Denture stomatitis, also known as denture sore mouth and chronic atrophic candidiasis, can crop up because of:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Ill fitting dentures
• Infection caused by Candida albicans

 
People with type-2 diabetes or those with a poor immune system are more likely to suffer from denture stomatitis caused by Candida.  

Symptoms

Denture induced stomatitis may not have any symptoms in many cases. In others, it may appear in the form of red and pebble-like sores in the roof of the mouth. Others may have swollen or inflamed areas under the upper dentures.
 
It may become painful to remove or put on dentures. The presence of white patches in the mouth could be a sign of candidiasis or thrush.  
Diagnosis

While examining the mouth for denture stomatitis, your dentist will ask certain questions, including:

• Is there pain in the mouth?
• Are the dentures comfortable?
• How often do you wear the dentures?
• How often do you clean the dentures?

 
A dentist will also check for bumps or sores in the roof of the mouth. To ascertain if it is a Candida infection, a dentist will wipe the affected area with a cotton swab and send the swab for testing in a lab.  
Denture stomatitis may persist for years if the problem is not diagnosed and treated immediately. Prompt and regular visits to a dentist can solve the problem. 

Prevention

People using dentures should take proper care of their dentures and mouth even if the natural teeth are gone. Plaque and tartar can build up on the dentures, and cause irritation to the gums. The following measures should be taken to maintain proper hygiene of the mouth, and prevent denture induced stomatitis:

• Dentures should be removed before sleeping. This will relax the mouth, and will allow saliva to clean the mouth.
• Visit your dentist for a check up regularly. If you smoke or chew tobacco, then you should visit a dentist at least once in six months
• Any discomfort in wearing dentures should be reported to the dentist promptly.
• It is not advisable to fix broken dentures all by yourself. Take it to the dentist.
• Clean your dentures after every meal.
• Clean your dentures every night with a cream or paste and soak the dentures in water overnight.
• You should also soak your dentures in an effervescent solution once every week.
• If you have any natural teeth, brush and floss them regularly. If all the natural teeth are gone, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water regularly.

Treatment

Treatment for denture stomatitis depends on the type of problem. If the dentures are broken or damaged, these can be fixed so that they fit comfortably in your mouth. A dentist will advise you on the proper method of cleaning the dentures, which includes rinsing in an anti fungal or antimicrobial solution if there is an infection in the mouth. 

Your dentist will also advise you on the correct method of cleaning your mouth and massaging the insides of your mouth to keep it healthy. You may be advised to stop using the dentures while the treatment is on. Your dentist may prescribe medicines to cure infection.