Are Dentures Uncomfortable or Painful?

About 90% of people who don’t have any teeth (they have edentulism) have dentures. It’s safe to say that no one looks forward to losing their teeth, for whatever reason. Happily, dentures are common, safe, and easy-to-wear. 

Stephen Hiroshige, DDS recommends dentures when they are the best way to preserve your oral health. He offers several types of dentures and makes recommendations based on your situation. Whether you need traditional dentures, partial dentures, overdentures, or implant-supported dentures, Dr. Hiroshige can walk you through your options and help you arrive at a decision. 

Many people worry about getting dentures because they’ve heard horror stories about discomfort or pain. In this post, we look at some of the reasons your dentures might be uncomfortable as well as when you should schedule an appointment because of pain or discomfort. 

Early discomfort

When you’re first fitted for your dentures, there are several reasons they might be uncomfortable. For example, if you need to have some remaining teeth removed first, your gums may be swollen from that procedure. 

There are two types of complete dentures, which replace all of your teeth. Conventional dentures are fitted after any remaining natural teeth have been removed, and your gums have healed. Usually your conventional dentures are ready to place about 8-12 weeks after your teeth have been removed. 

Immediate dentures also replace all of your teeth, but they are placed right away. This type of denture is made ahead of time, and you don’t have to go without teeth for any amount of time. Your gums will shrink over time, so immediate dentures require a few extra appointments so that they can be fitted properly as your mouth changes. 

In either case, you can expect some soreness and discomfort as you get used to your new dentures. It may take a few visits to get the fit just right, and it takes time to adjust to something new.

Learning to wear your dentures

Even if you aren’t experiencing pain, you may be uncomfortable at first. It takes a bit of time and practice to get used to eating, coughing, and speaking with your new dentures. However, once you’re past those initial weeks, your dentures shouldn’t cause you pain or discomfort at all. 

Since your dentures are custom made to fit your mouth perfectly, you shouldn’t have problems with rubbing or chafing once your gums are healed, and Dr. Hiroshige has made sure they fit as they should. If you do, you should schedule an appointment as you may have a problem called denture stomatitis. 

Denture stomatitis

If you notice that inside your mouth is red, swollen, or tender, you may have a fungal infection called denture stomatitis. This condition develops when there’s an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast. It’s sometimes called thrush. 

People who have diabetes, take steroids, are undergoing cancer treatment, or who take certain types of medications have a higher risk of developing denture stomatitis. It’s one of the most common problems people who wear dentures have. 

One way to avoid developing denture stomatitis is to practice excellent oral hygiene and to visit Dr. Hiroshige regularly for checkups. Several treatments are available if you do get an infection. 

If you’re postponing talking to Dr. Hiroshige about dentures because you’re worried about pain and discomfort, schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns. It’s always better to get information from an expert, and our staff is happy to talk to you about your specific situation.