Denture Adjustments

When your dentist delivers a new denture or a new set of dentures,  it is common experience sore spots on your gums.  These sore spots may be caused by areas where the denture may be too long, may be placing too much pressure on your gum, or may be biting unevenly.

Your dentist will make minor adjustments to your denture to correct these problems.  It  is common to need several adjustments over the next few days or weeks.

Denture sore spots can also arise after extended periods of comfortable wear.  Sometimes they occur because you trapped a hard piece of food under the denture and bruised the gum.  Other times, sore spots arise because of changes in your mouth.  After your teeth are removed, resorption (shrinkage) of your gums and ridges will occur.  This process, also known as ridge atrophy, happens because the tooth roots are no longer present to stimulate the bone.  Resorption rates are generally not predictable.  Your gum resorption may occur faster or slower than that of another person, and your own resorption may be more rapid at different times of your life.  This can be particular noticeable during periods when you are struggling with another illness.

If you experience severe sore spots, it is best to remove your denture as much as possible to give your gums a rest.  It is helpful to rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water to reduce the inflammation and speed healing. Just add a teaspoon of table salt to a glass of lukewarm water.  Swish with it for several minutes with your dentures out.  Repeat this rinse 3 - 4 times per day.

Be sure to wear your dentures for at least 3 - 4 hours before your next appointment to have your dentist adjust the dentures.  This will be sufficient time for the dentures to make your gum red in the area that needs adjustment.  The easier it is for your dentist to identify the offending area, the fewer denture adjustment appointments you will need.