How to Get Rid of Denture Sores

Denture sores should not be a regular occurrence if you have dentures. They're most commonly experienced during the first few weeks of wearing a new denture, but if you don’t have a new denture and you’re getting sores, it may be a sign that the shape of your jawbone has changed and your denture has to be relined. Patients who regularly experience large, painful denture sores should make an appointment with Dr. Dennis to ensure that their denture fits properly and that the sores aren’t infected. Otherwise, try these methods for getting rid of denture sores.

Salt Water Rinse

Warm salt water rinses are recommended for a number of types of mouth sores and oral health conditions, and they can also be used to treat denture sores. Not only will a salt water rinse provide temporary relief for your pain, it will also aid in healing. Simply combine 1/4 cup of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir until the salt is dissolved, then rinse for 30 seconds. A salt water rinse can be used up to four times a day for as long as needed.

Give Your Mouth a Break

Make sure you remove your dentures before going to bed every night to let your mouth rest and to give your sores the opportunity to heal. While it's important to wear new dentures for long enough each day to get used to them (and to prevent other teeth from moving if you have a partial denture), it's also important for your dental health that you give your gums time to rest after supporting dentures all day.

Good Oral Hygiene

To prevent denture sores from becoming infected, it’s important to keep up with your home oral hygiene routine. This means brushing your dentures to remove plaque and soaking them in a denture cleaner to kill bacteria. Dentures cannot get cavities like natural teeth, but they can harbor bacteria and collect plaque, which sets the stage for gum disease and other mouth infections. We also recommend that you use a wet washcloth to clean your gums before putting your denture in and after taking it out. Good oral hygiene may not prevent denture sores from forming, but it can keep them from becoming infected.

Relieve the Pain

Although this isn't a recommendation for getting rid of denture sores, denture sores can be painful, even interfering with your ability to eat and sleep. To relieve discomfort and inflammation, use over-the-counter pain relievers or apply a numbing gel directly to the sores.

Consult With Your Dentist

If denture sores are an ongoing problem for you, contact our office to make an appointment with Dr. Dennis. The solution may be as simple as relining your denture so it fits more securely and doesn’t rub against the soft tissues in your mouth. In other cases, your denture may need to be re-fitted. For a more permanent fix for denture sores, you may also want to consider switching from a traditional denture to an implant-supported denture.

Learn More About Relieving Denture Sores

If you’re concerned about denture sores, contact us today at 505-292-1051 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis.