Denture Discomfort? You'll Want to Read This

While dentures are a long term solution for missing teeth, they're not quite a permanent solution in their original state. Over time, you might find that your dentures are no longer fitting as comfortably as they used to. This can sometimes result in discomfort, which can be aggravated by consuming foods that are particularly spicy. These foods can certainly burn your mouth, but when your dentures are irritating the interior of your mouth, this discomfort can be amplified. If your dentures are causing you discomfort, you shouldn't have to put up with this, nor should you have to rely on denture adhesive in order to overcome any issues with their fit. So what can your dentist do to rectify the problem?

A Dental Examination

A regular dental examination is still necessary with dentures. You might have overlooked this when you have a full set of dentures, thinking that since you have no remaining natural teeth, such an examination takes on less importance. This is not the case.

A State of Change

Your mouth is in a gradual, though ongoing state of change. Your gums can still recede, however minutely. This slow change to the interior of your mouth is a key reason why dentures can lose their optimal fit over the years, creating areas of friction which can irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. This essentially results in a foreign object (your dentures) that is continually rubbing up against a sensitive part of your body, namely the interior of your mouth. The solution is relatively straightforward.

A Standard Reline

The likelihood is that your dentist will simply suggest that your dentures need to be relined. This is when an additional layer of acrylic resin is added to the denture base (the pink component to which the prosthetic teeth are attached). This thickening of the denture base will accommodate any changes to the shape of your mouth that have occurred in the years since you first received your dentures.

A Soft Reline

In cases of extreme changes to the shape of your mouth, your dentist might even suggest a soft reline in order to minimise your discomfort. An acrylic resin is still applied to the denture base, but this resin is pliable, creating a cushioning effect. This might be sufficient for the long term, or your dentist might suggest a more rigid reline to take place when your mouth has had time to heal.

Remember that your mouth is always changing, and for maximum comfort and efficiency, it will occassionally be necessary for your dentures to change too.

Share