Health Care

No matter what your age, your gums continue to change over time, and as they do, dentures that once fit like a glove may begin to feel like hippo teeth. In these cases, your dentures will need to be adjusted or replaced. If you are getting dentures for the first time or having an old pair replaced, expect some discomfort. Denture pain is particularly common in the first few days after you get a new set. Here are a few suggestions that can help you to adapt to new dentures.

1. Clean It Right

Take your dentures out of your mouth before bed, brush them thoroughly with a denture cleanser, then place them in a glass of water overnight. Avoid regular toothpastes, because they are too abrasive for most dentures. These pastes can damage your dentures to the point that they don’t fit properly, which will cause sore gums.

2. Rule Out Allergies

Some people are allergic to denture cleansers and adhesives. A few are even allergic to materials in the dentures themselves. In addition to a burning sensation in the mouth, these allergies can irritate the gums and cause mouth ulcers. If you suspect that you have an allergy, ask your dentist about substitutes for the cleansers and adhesives you are using.

3. Eat What Is Comfortable

When you first get your denture, continue eating what you have been eating until you get accustomed to them. Your mouth needs time to adjust to having two pieces of plastic inside of it. So continue eating what you were eating before you received your dentures, until you feel comfortable and confident that you can chew your food well.

4. Give Your Gums A Rest

Don’t leave your dentures in too long, especially when they are new, or otherwise your gums will let you know they don’t like it. If you develop sore gums, take your dentures out and set them aside for a few days while your gums heal. Then try using the dentures again. It is recommended to take your dentures out for at least six hours a day, either when you are sleeping or when you are at home doing household chores.

5. Try Herbal

Dab a bit of aloe vera gel and apply it directly to your gums where the dentures are causing pain. This product soothes and heals sore gums. You can use this as needed, but for best results, avoid eating for at least one hour after applying this product.

6. Douse The Ache

Take out your dentures, then rinse your mouth three times a day with a ½ cup of rinse made with goldenseal, a potent herbal remedy, to help soothe the denture pain. To prepare the rinse, add ½ tablespoon of dried goldenseal and ½ teaspoon of baking soda to ½ cup of warm water. Cool and strain before using.

7. Try Lozenge

Dentures can cause excess saliva in your mouth for a couple of weeks after you begin using them. That is because your mouth thinks your dentures are food and produces saliva to begin digesting them. Eventually, your mouth will adapt to your dentures and saliva protection will return to normal. In the meantime, suck on sugarless candies or lozenges frequently. It will help you to swallow more often and get rid of some of the excess saliva.