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Ouch: Denture Stomatitis

Lots of false teeth wearers know about it: stomatitis.

Stomatitis - "denture sore mouth" - is the most common symptom of yeast invasion, where tiny blisters develop on the gums. Other signs are patchy white spots in the mouth, a burning sensation, or a persistent unpleasant salty taste.

It's not all your fault. Your denture has something to do with it.

Prosthodontics with soft liners or those relined with a non-pressure process can harbor troublesome yeasts. On the other hand, pressure-processed dentures (the bubbles are pressed out under heat) are less porous and therefore less friendly to Candida infection.

Two brand-name processes that resist Candida are Ivoclar acrylic and Astron vinyl. If you have recurring denture stomatitis, ask your prosthodontist about one of these processes at your next reline.

Beat the yeast

If you're not due for new false teeth or a reline, you can take measures to control the growth of Candida at home. Cleaning dentures using the following recipe will help: Soak your dentures for two hours, four times a week in equal parts bleach, dish detergent and water. Follow this by a one-hour soak in half vinegar/half water.

This brew seems to work, but some false teeth materials can lose color - and any denture with metal parts other than gold will suffer.

Even better...The Journal of the American Dental Association recommends using a denture care solution containing benzoic acid that looks effective in killing yeasts with no damage to the prosthodontics. Commercially it's called Oral Safe (Great Lakes Ortho Laboratories, Tonawanda, NY), available through your dentist. There are remedies to "denture sore mouth." Because denture problems are a pain you just don't have to live with.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

False Teeth - Usefulness of Denture Adhesives

Denture adhesives enhance the retentive interface between the surface of a denture and the underlying tissues upon which false teeth rest.

Optimizing the Interface Space

There is a slight space at the interface between the inside of a denture and the jaw that is usually filled with saliva. As this gap increases, a denture becomes less retentive and stable.

The interface space arises because of material and fabrication limitations used in making a denture. This gap also is contributed to by the constant changing contour and shrinkage of jawbone.

While an interface space exists in all dentures and increases with time, optimum denture function and retention depends upon reducing it. Denture adhesives fill this increasing space, improve suction, and create a sticky contact between a denture and underlying surfaces. This also helps resist foods from collecting under the denture base.

How to Use Denture Adhesives

Thin paste adhesives are preferred to powders since they are already fluid and easier to manage and apply. However, some prefer powder types. Whatever works best for an individual should be used.

Pea-sized amounts of the paste may be placed in a few places within a denture where jaw ridges fit and where the roof of the mouth contacts. A thin film of adhesive spreads out as a denture seats in the mouth. Use the least amount to do the "job."

If excess amounts are necessary, then the opinion of a dentist should be sought since denture maintenance may be necessary. A licensed dentist should be routinely seen at six-month intervals for routine oral examinations and bite adjustments.

A person needs to experiment with how often to apply adhesives. Some apply it before meals while others function satisfactorily all day with one application.

A denture and mouth should be cleaned of all adhesives at least once a day, and the denture should be left out of a cleaned and rinsed mouth for at least an hour a day.

How to Clean Up Your Dentures

It can be difficult removing adhesives. The denture may be cleaned with a brush, soap, and running water, or with a little white distilled vinegar in water.

All adhesives should be removed from the mouth for hygienic purposes. Rinsing with extremely warm water or salt water helps removal. It may be necessary to use a soft toothbrush or wash cloth-like material to assist removal from the mouth tissues.

Advantages of Denture Adhesives

• Effectively fills the interface gap between a denture and underlying jaw.
• Provides a sense of security with wearing dentures, even with well-fitting dentures when additional confidence is desired.
• Facilitates acceptability and builds confidence with wearing new dentures.
• Reduces food impaction beneath dentures by closing prosthesis borders.
• Helps an individual open their mouth wider for more confident chewing (increases the chewing stroke), rather than eating with small strokes to compensate for concerns about the potential for a denture coming loose.
• Decreases the irritation and chafing of mouth tissues from habits such as grinding teeth together (parafunctional activities).
• Facilitates wearing dentures for individuals with persistent dry mouth (xerostomia).

Disadvantages of Adhesives

• Difficult to remove denture adhesive from the mouth and denture.
• A false sense of security that a denture is still satisfactory may develop from using adhesives with a poorly-fitting denture that should be relined, replaced, or maintained in different ways.

by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.