Denture Stomatitis Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
Denture stomatitis, also known as thrush, is a condition that affects denture wearers. In this article, we will look at what denture stomatitis is, what the denture stomatitis symptoms are, how it can be treated, and ways to prevent it from developing again or in the first place.
What Are The Denture Stomatitis Causes?
Yeast or fungus that is present in the human body called candida is responsible for denture-induced stomatitis. It is important to note that this is not an infection so it cannot be passed from one person to another although it commonly occurs in many people. This is primarily because we all have amounts of candida in our mouths. Although thrush can develop in other parts of the body, when it happens in the mouth, it is typically called denture stomatitis.
Denture wearers have a higher risk of developing this condition in their mouths. However, it can affect anyone. It also occurs in individuals who have difficulty keeping their mouths clean and healthy.
Thrush can also affect diabetics, and those taking steroids, particularly orally or through inhalers. There is also evidence that thrush can be caused by certain antibiotics which tend to cause repeat appearances.
What Are The Denture Stomatitis Symptoms?
The symptoms of denture stomatitis are obvious once you remove your dentures. There will be a very red area in your mouth that was underneath the dentures. In some cases, the red extends to the corner of the mouth on the lips.
Left untreated, the condition can result in severe soreness in the mouth. It can also result in dentures not fitting properly in the future.
What Is The Denture Stomatitis Treatment?
There are three primary ways to treat denture stomatitis. They include:
Proper Oral Hygiene
As stated above, the conditions in your mouth can lead to the development of thrush. The best way to prevent this from happening is to keep your mouth clean and fresh at all times. After each meal, rinsing your mouth and dentures. Removing your dentures and placing them under running water will help to remove food particles that may aid in the development of denture stomatitis.
If you happen to be a smoker, keep in mind that smoking will encourage the conditions necessary for candida to grow and develop into a problem.
Clean Your Dentures
By keeping your dentures as clean as possible, you further reduce the risk of developing thrush. Keep your dentures out of your mouth overnight by placing them in a denture cleaning solution to soak until morning. Also, ensure that you brush your dentures daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and by using a toothpaste or dental cream that is approved for use with dentures.
If your dentures have metal attachments, avoid using products that contain bleach. If you use a dental fixative to hold your false teeth in place, pay particular attention to the removal of that from your dentures.
Medication
If keeping your mouth and dentures clean has not caused the condition to go away, you may need the assistance of medications. There are several treatments available that are effective in resolving this issue.
The majority of them come in lozenge or tablet form that you would be required to suck slowly in your mouth. It may take up to a month for this type of treatment to take effect. See your dentist or health care professional for specific advice on the best medication for you.
The Next Step
It is important to keep in contact with your dental team following treatment. Your dentist will want to conduct a checkup to verify that treatment did resolve the issue.
However, there are times when treatment for denture stomatitis is not successful the first time around. If this is the case, the dental team will encourage further treatment. This second round may have to last for a longer period to be effective.
In Conclusion
Proper oral hygiene is important. However, for denture wearers, it is even more important. Keeping dentures and your mouth clean at all times will reduce the likelihood of any type of bacteria forming into denture induced stomatitis. This can be achieved by following proper denture cleaning routine and rinsing out your mouth after each meal.
Fortunately, there are denture stomatitis treatments available that your dentist can suggest to remedy the situation. However, avoiding this often painful and stubborn problem in the first place is the best option so always ensure your denture cleaning routine is followed.
