While dentures can be a transformative solution, they can also lead to side effects like denture related stomatitis or oral thrush. If your dental practitioner recommends dental prosthetics, there’s no need to worry. With his professional guidance, you can effectively manage denture stomatitis and continue enjoying the benefits of your removable teeth.
As the Gold Coast’s trusted service provider of denture repairs, we’re here to help. This blog will provide a comprehensive understanding of denture stomatitis, empowering patients with the knowledge they need to confidently manage their oral health and enjoy their dentures.
What Is Denture Stomatitis?
Denture stomatitis, also known as oral thrush or denture sore mouth, is an inflammatory condition that affects the oral mucosa (mouth lining). Health experts link this condition to Candida (yeast) overgrowth. Other denture stomatitis causes include the following:
- Oral mucosa inflammation and redness: Swelling and redness of the mouth lining are the most noticeable symptoms.
- Ill-fitting dentures: Improperly fitting dentures can irritate and traumatise the oral tissues, making them prone to infection and inflammation.
- Poor dental hygiene: Bad dental hygiene can proliferate oral bacteria and plaque, leading to denture stomatitis.
- Prolonged wear: Wearing dentures overnight can moisten the oral mucosa and promote Candida growth.
What Are the Signs And Symptoms of Denture Stomatitis?
The symptoms of denture stomatitis include the following:
- Mouth and throat soreness: Mouth and throat soreness and pain or discomfort when swallowing are common signs of denture stomatitis due to inflammation from yeast growth. Since “stomatitis” means “inflammation of the mouth,” you may require denture replacement when experiencing pain or discomfort.
- Red or white oral patches: Mouth patches can indicate denture stomatitis or mouth cancer, proving oral health can affect general health. For this reason, we strongly recommend visiting your dental practitioner to identify potential issues early and prevent them from worsening.
Fortunately, early detection and timely treatment can make oral patches subside. If the symptoms persist, we strongly advise you to seek immediate professional assistance. Your dentist can recommend the most suitable intervention for your unique situation and provide much-needed relief and comfort.
- Cracked skin or soreness: Inflammation can cause cracked skin or soreness around the mouth corners. Dry, chapped lips or a cold sore can also cause this symptom.
- Halitosis: Denture stomatitis can lead to halitosis (bad breath) or a bad taste in the mouth. The latter can be challenging to manage, even with regular brushing or mouthwash use. A bad taste in the mouth can be a symptom of other dental issues, including gingivitis or periodontal disease. For this reason, we recommend consulting your dentist if the symptom doesn’t improve.
How Can I Manage Denture Stomatitis?
If your dentist diagnoses you with denture stomatitis, he will recommend several ways to help manage it and provide you with peace of mind. Many patients have experienced long-term relief from these interventions, so you can relax knowing you’re in good hands with a trusted dental practitioner.
The best denture stomatitis management strategies include the following:
- Correct denture cleaning: Your dentist will recommend a complete denture cleaning to eliminate Candida accumulation. He will also emphasise regular, thorough denture cleaning, which involves manual brushing and soaking them in the prescribed cleaning solution. Proper dental prosthetic sanitation is critical to treating denture stomatitis and guaranteeing long-term oral health.
- Regular denture removal: When inflammation causes regular discomfort, your dentist may suggest frequent breaks from wearing your dentures, allowing your gums to rest and recover.
On the other hand, if poor-fitting or damaged dentures cause discomfort, we strongly urge patients to act swiftly and consider denture relines or repairs to ensure an excellent fit and long-term dental health.
- Antifungal medication: Antifungal medication in lozenge, tablet, or liquid form can help treat denture stomatitis by eliminating Candida yeast, which causes inflammation and redness in the oral mucosa. Hence, antifungals allow your mouth lining to heal and normalise.
How Can I Prevent Denture Stomatitis?
You can prevent denture stomatitis by following these recommendations:
- Practise consistent oral hygiene: Proper oral hygiene includes regular, thorough prosthetic teeth cleaning. We recommend rinsing them with water after eating to eliminate food particles and debris, brushing them daily with a non-abrasive cleaner, and soaking them overnight in a dentist-approved solution for optimum results.
- Replace or fix ill-fitting dentures: Ill-fitting dentures can damage your gums and make them susceptible to infection. Uncomfortable, shifting, or painful dentures require scheduling an appointment at your dental clinic. Your dentist can repair, reline, or replace your prosthetic teeth to prevent denture stomatitis and ensure long-term oral health.
- Quit smoking: Dental experts have concluded that smoking is one of the leading risk factors for denture stomatitis. Although the exact reason is unknown, they suspect cigarette chemicals cause this disorder. Smoking also compromises bone jaw density, causing poor-fitting dentures.
- Address vitamin imbalances: Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid deficiencies can increase the risk of denture stomatitis. Consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables ensures that these deficiencies and oral thrush risk are minimised.
We strongly recommend drinking plenty of water to improve oral health and minimise Candida yeast growth. This strategy will benefit patients with dental implants by creating a hygienic oral environment that supports their implanted teeth.
Are Oral Thrush And Denture Stomatitis The Same?
Denture stomatitis is an oral thrush variation in patients wearing prosthetic teeth. Unfortunately, early-stage symptoms aren’t usually noticeable because they don’t always cause immediate pain or discomfort. However, the symptoms may worsen over time. We strongly urge you to consult your dental practitioner if your dentures cause pain or discomfort so you can enjoy high-quality daily living and excellent oral health.
Some medications or medical conditions can increase oral thrush risk, including the following:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are an excellent remedy for bacterial infections because they eliminate the microorganisms that cause them. Unfortunately, they can also create a microorganism imbalance in your oral cavity, leading to Candida yeast growth and oral thrush.
We strongly urge patients with single- or double-tooth implants to be careful because oral thrush can compromise healing and make dental hygiene challenging.
- Corticosteroids: These steroids, which are typical components of asthma inhalers, can increase oral thrush risk. Inhaling them can compromise the immune response in the oral cavity and facilitate fungal infections. Severe cases may require aggressive interventions, such as tooth extraction.
- Underlying illnesses: Diabetics have high glucose saliva levels and might have less saliva than their non-diabetic counterparts. These conditions create an environment where Candida yeast can thrive. Patients with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients, are at high risk of developing oral thrush.
What Is Inflammatory Papillary Hyperplasia?
Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia (IPH) is a complication of untreated denture stomatitis where small lesions develop on the mouth’s hard palate. This condition increases discomfort among denture wearers.
Complete denture removal for at least two to four weeks can help the damaged tissues to heal. Your dentist may prescribe antifungal medication, better oral hygiene, and regular denture cleaning to facilitate healing.
In severe cases, denture relines, replacement, or surgery may be necessary to eliminate the lesions and discomfort. Practitioners may prescribe sedation dentistry for patients who prefer a comfortable, stress-free procedure.
Conclusion
Although individuals with prosthetic teeth may develop denture stomatitis, they don’t need to worry because it’s a treatable condition. Timely intervention, including proper denture cleaning, regular denture removal, and antifungal medication, can relieve symptoms and eliminate discomfort.
You can also prevent denture stomatitis by taking proactive measures, such as practising consistent oral hygiene, replacing improperly fitting dentures, quitting smoking, and addressing vitamin deficiencies. These strategies ensure optimal long-term dental health and peace of mind for prosthetic teeth wearers.
Please contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss your denture repair and reline requirements. As the Gold Coast’s trusted denture specialists for nearly a decade, we can help improve your dental health and ensure a high quality of life.