Are you a denture wearer? If so, you may be familiar with the fact that sometimes the inside of your mouth, especially the area covered by your dentures, becomes red, swollen, and sometimes sore. Many people think that this is a normal part of wearing dentures. But in fact, this can be a medical condition that needs to be treated. That's what we're going to talk about today.
Simply put, what is Denture Stomatitis?
Denture Stomatitis is a fungal infection that is common among people who wear dentures. To be precise, it is a type of fungal infection called thrush. This is when the tissues in your mouth (such as the gums and palate) covered by your dentures become swollen and red.
This condition can make even wearing dentures a very painful experience. But don't worry, there are treatments that can cure it. And there are things we can do to prevent it from happening again.
Just think, surveys have found that 67 out of 100 people who wear dentures worldwide develop this condition to some degree. This risk is especially high for people who wear a full set of dentures.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
In most cases, there may be no major pain at first. You may not even notice it. But as the condition progresses, you may notice symptoms like these.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Redness and swelling of the mouth | You may notice red spots or complete redness on the palate, especially where the upper set of teeth are located. |
| Mouth sores and pain | Pain may occur along with white or red patches inside the mouth, on the gums, lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks. |
| Cracked corners of the mouth | The corners of the mouth may become cracked, red, and sore. This is medically known as Angular Cheilitis . |
| Difficulty swallowing | Sometimes, you may experience a sore throat when swallowing food. |
Why do we have this situation?
The main cause of this is a type of fungus called Candida .
Now you might think that Candida is a dangerous germ. It's not. In fact, we all have very small amounts of this Candida fungus living inside our mouths. They usually don't cause us any problems.
However, if for some reason the environment inside the mouth changes and creates a favorable environment for this fungus to grow, they start to multiply rapidly and out of control. Just like weeds grow out of control in our garden beds. That is when this Candida infection (Candidiasis) or what we are talking about as Denture Stomatitis occurs.
The fungus `Candida albicans` is mainly responsible for this. Apart from that, other species like `Candida glabrata` and `Candida tropicalis` can also contribute to this.
What are the factors that increase the risk of this?
There are several reasons why this fungus can grow excessively in the mouth. Some of these things we can control, and some things are beyond our control.
| Denture Stomatitis Risk Factors | |
|---|---|
| Reasons we can control | |
| Dirt in the mouth and teeth | Not cleaning your teeth properly and not rinsing your mouth after eating. |
| Sleeping with dentures on at night | This is the main reason. When you wear dentures all day, your gums don't get enough air. That moist environment is a breeding ground for fungus. |
| Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates | Sugar is the best food for fungi. Eating too many sweet foods and drinks promotes fungal growth. |
| Smoking and drinking alcohol | These habits disrupt the natural balance of the mouth and contribute to the growth of fungus. |
| Reasons beyond our control | |
| Weak immune system | These infections develop easily when the body's immunity is weakened due to medical conditions such as diabetes, HIV, or certain medications. |
| Age | This condition is usually common among people over the age of 65. |
| Nutritional deficiencies | Deficiency of nutrients like vitamin B and iron. |
| Some medications | Especially when antibiotics are used for a long time, the good bacteria in the mouth are destroyed and fungi can grow. |
How does a doctor recognize this?
When you go to see a doctor, the first thing he or she will do is remove your dentures and examine your mouth. You can usually recognize this condition by looking for redness and swelling in your gums and palate.
Sometimes, to confirm the diagnosis, a swab can be taken from inside the mouth and sent to a laboratory to be tested for the presence of the Candida fungus.
What are the treatments for this?
There are several treatments for this. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment based on the severity of your condition.
- Antifungals: This is the main and fastest treatment. These are given as gels, mouthwashes, or lozenges containing drugs such as Nystatin or Miconazole.
- Laser Therapy: In some cases, especially when the infection does not respond well to medications, low-energy laser beams can be used to control this fungal infection.
- Minor surgery: Rarely, this infection can cause small lumps on the roof of the mouth. If these don't fit properly, minor surgery may be needed to remove the lumps.
The most important thing is that you need to thoroughly clean and disinfect your dentures during treatment, otherwise the fungus that remains on the dentures may cause the disease to recur.
If your dentures are old and don't fit properly in your mouth, your doctor may also recommend getting a new set of dentures.
How can you survive this?
It's easier to prevent this condition than to treat it after it occurs. Here are some simple things you can do to help.
- Remove your dentures at night: This is the most important thing. Before going to bed at night, remove your dentures and soak them in a denture solution recommended for them. This gives your gums a chance to "breathe" and also kills germs on your dentures.
- Clean your dentures thoroughly: Every time you take out your dentures, clean them thoroughly with the soft toothbrush that comes with them. Never use regular toothpaste to brush your dentures. They are harsh and can scratch the surface of the dentures, allowing germs to get stuck in them.
- Take care of your oral hygiene: After removing your dentures, clean your gums, palate, and tongue thoroughly with a soft brush.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Eat a balanced diet: Reduce sugary foods and eat foods rich in vitamins and nutrients.
- Regular medical checkups: If you have a problem with your teeth or notice any changes in your mouth, see a doctor immediately.
When should I see a doctor?
It's normal for someone with dentures to experience occasional minor gum irritation. But if you notice any sores in your mouth, persistent redness, pain, or cracks in the corners of your mouth, don't ignore it. See a doctor as soon as possible.
He or she can determine if it is Denture Stomatitis or another serious condition and provide you with the most appropriate treatment plan. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you can recover and resume your daily activities without pain.
Take-Home Message
- Denture Stomatitis is a treatable fungal infection that is common among people who wear dentures.
- The main reasons for this are sleeping with dentures on at night and not cleaning the dentures and mouth properly.
- If you have symptoms like redness, sores, or pain inside your mouth, don't ignore it and definitely see a doctor.
- The best way to prevent this situation is to remove your dentures every night, clean them thoroughly, and soak them in an antiseptic solution.
- This condition can be completely cured with proper treatment and good oral hygiene habits.
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