Getting new dentures is an adjustment – that’s true even if you’ve had dentures in the past. Adjusting to new dentures usually takes about a month, though it can take a bit less time if you’ve already had dentures.
During this month, to put it bluntly, you might be irritated by a lot of different things. Many patients find speaking and eating more difficult immediately after getting dentures. The focus of this article, though, is the pain, discomfort, and sores that can emerge as a result of wearing new dentures.
We’re going to address why new dentures cause irritation, how long you can expect the irritation to last, and what you can do about it. That’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dive in:
Why do new dentures cause irritation?
The main reason that new dentures cause irritation is that your mouth isn’t adjusted to them yet. Our mouths are extremely sensitive – you’ll find that people who are adjusting to new braces or retainers will also experience soreness and other irritation. Even people who never floss might experience discomfort or even bleeding when they start flossing!
That doesn’t mean your dentures aren’t fitting right or that dentures aren’t right for you – it just takes some time to adjust.
Another common problem new patients experience is not knowing how to care for their dentures. Dentures need to be carefully cleaned after every meal, or trapped food particles can cause irritation.
Remember to take your dentures out every night – sleeping with dentures can cause quite a lot of discomfort.
Generally, if you’re wearing and caring for your dentures properly, irritation should subside by the second week of wear. When discomfort persists for more than a month, you may need a reline. Denture relines adjust the lining of your dentures to better fit the contour of your gums – some patients may benefit from a soft reline, especially if they have very thin or sensitive gums.
How can I prevent denture irritation and soreness?
Proper care is an absolute must – clean your dentures after each and every meal to get rid of food particles and soak your dentures overnight each night.
When you first start wearing your new dentures, we highly recommend eating soft foods while you adjust to chewing with dentures. You should also take small bites and eat mindfully – learn how it feels to eat with dentures and be aware of any sore spots.
You’ll also want to avoid certain types of food: Sticky foods can be hard for new denture wearers to learn to chew, and salty, acidic, hot, and spicy foods can further irritate denture sores. Not sure what you should eat? Check out this page on foods to eat for new denture wearers. It’s a great resource that’s well worth the read.
How can I heal denture sores?
Denture sores should heal themselves over time. As you become adjusted to your new dentures, you should experience fewer sores – eventually, you shouldn’t get sores at all.
If you want to speed up the healing process, however, there are a few things you can do. A saltwater rinse can help promote healing. You can also talk to your denturist about using denture adhesive while you get adjusted to your new dentures. You shouldn’t use adhesive for too long, however. Our Winnipeg dentures should fit perfectly in your mouth without the need for adhesives once you’re adjusted to them and once they’re properly fitted.
It’s not uncommon for new dentures to need a bit of adjustment – relining is a routine procedure. If you’ve tried all of the tips we’ve discussed and you’re still consistently getting sores, schedule an appointment with us.
How can I relieve denture pain, irritation, and soreness?
Denture pain is generally mild to moderate – that means there are quite a few over-the-counter remedies available. You can take pain relief medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) – talk to your denturist for a recommendation. Generally, a class of pain relievers known as NSAIDs may be preferred as they reduce the inflammation your gums may experience as a result of irritation.
The saltwater rinses we mentioned before can also help with pain relief. Your denturist may also recommend you use topical anaesthetics on your sores.
Call Borbely Swiss for more information!
If your dentures are causing irritation, you can call Borbely Swiss for a consultation – for new patients, the first consultation is free. With a detailed examination of your mouth, we’ll be able to find spots that are prone to irritation and give you advice on how to reduce irritation. We may also recommend a relining to make your dentures fit more comfortably.
New dentures can take time to adjust to, and there may be some discomfort – but by following the tips we laid out above, you can reduce that discomfort. Soon, you won’t even notice your dentures are there – except when you’re noticing how much they’ve improved your life!
