If you have been wearing dentures for some time, you have probably come across denture stomatitis. Denture stomatitis is characterized by soreness and can cause complications if left untreated. One problem that may arise is that dentures may not fit perfectly in your mouth in the future.

What Causes Denture Stomatitis?

The condition is caused by a fungus known as Candida, which is present in all humans. Most people who wear dentures suffer from the infection because dentures result in an imbalance of the fungus.  When the condition sets in, the oral mucous membrane that is beneath the dentures turns red. You may also be able to note white patches inside your mouth and red sores inside or around your mouth; the sores mostly appear on the roof of the mouth and at the corners of the lips. Bad breath is also a common complaint among denture patients.

Denture stomatitis can also be caused by systemic factors like old age as well as local factors like smoking tobacco.

How Is Denture Stomatitis Treated?

You can take care of denture stomatitis by removing your dentures at night for two consecutive weeks. Cleaning your dentures on a regular basis can also help in treating the condition. When it comes to denture cleaning, you can do so mechanically or chemically. Mechanical cleaning involves brushing the dentures with dentifrice or neutral soap.

Chemical cleaning of dentures involves cleaning the dentures with certain chemicals. For instance, you can soak your dentures in chemical solutions that contain mutanases and proteases enzymes. You can also soak the dentures in sodium hypochlorite; this is nothing but diluted bleach, which is made by mixing bleach and water in the ratio of one part bleach to 10 parts water. If your condition seems severe, apply topical antifungal to the surface of the denture that sits on your gums after your cleaning sessions. Clean your dentures at least once per day.

Can The Condition Be Prevented?

Prevention is always the best cure, and, for denture stomatitis, prevention mainly involves practicing proper denture-wearing habits. One good habit is not to allow your denture to sit in your mouth for a long period of time; take your dentures out after wearing the dentures for 6 to 8 hours. Also avoid wearing your dentures while you are sleeping at night, and visit your dentist from time to time for proper screening of your oral cavity.