Most people opt for traditional dentures as an option that is less painful, but this doesn’t mean dentures come without their challenges. On some occasions, patients can experience pain when wearing dentures, and we’re here to help you understand what may be causing it, and what steps to take next.
What are the different types of dentures?
There are three main types of dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures and complete dentures,
Partial dentures
Partial dentures are an option used by dental clinicians when your remaining teeth aren’t strong enough to support a dental bridge, perhaps after being weakened by tooth decay or gum disease, or if you have most of your teeth left, and are only missing a few.
They are supported by your existing natural teeth, and are typically the types of dentures that come with the least complications and pain.
Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures are temporary dentures worn after the teeth are removed during the healing process and often require a lot of maintenance, and often need to be realigned.
Complete dentures
Complete dentures sit on the gum for hours of your day, either supported by suction or implant dentures. This means that they can only be worn once your gums are fully healed enough to support them. This can lead to a few issues that may cause pain.
Potential causes of pain
Poor-fitting
From permanent denture implants to temporary partial dentures, all dentures need to be fitted perfectly to your mouth. Typically after 3-5 dentures can become misaligned and need to be realigned by your dental clinician, this can be due to the natural changes in our mouth as we age, weight loss or bone loss.
Your dentures can rub against your gums and sensitive tissues in the mouth, leading to soreness, which can be very painful. The misalignment can lead to pain when chewing food or talking, and can put pressure on sensitive nerves in the jaw. It can also change the alignment of your jaw leading to further pain.
If you’re experiencing any of these complications, your dentures may need to be realigned. Your dental technician can replace this with their denture repair service, or provide you with new dentures that fit your mouth better, so you can have a glowing smile without the pain.
It is recommended you have your dentures checked by your clinician annual to ensure optimal oral health, so you can have a comfortable experience wearing your dentures.
Bacteria
Just like caring for natural teeth, it is important to care for your dentures to ensure you have good oral health. If you have partial or full dentures, it’s important you take good care of them.
You should be cleaning them daily with a denture care solution, and soak dentures at night to give your gums time to breathe. When removing your dentures, it’s essential to brush your mouth with a soft toothbrush to get rid of any bacteria.
Bacteria build up can even be caused from ill-fitted dentures, so make sure your dentures fit perfectly. Bacteria build up can cause sores all across your mouth, which can be extremely painful.
Adjustment period
Wearing dentures can take a little getting used to, so it is normal to experience a little discomfort when you opt to use dentures to replace missing teeth. This can often pass once the adjustment period is over, however, if it doesn’t pass, or your pain is extreme, you should let your dental clinician know.
A more comfortable option is flexible dentures, they are ultra-thin and lightweight Valplast dentures with no bulky metal clasp and fit comfortably in the mouth. Because they are flexible partial dentures, they easily adjust to the contours of your mouth, so you are less likely to have poor fitting issues.
At Kevin Manners Denture Clinics, we offer a FREE consultation for all patients. If you’re having problems with your existing dentures or if you’re starting to experience tooth loss, book a free consultation with us for an oral examination and to discuss your options.