Gums Archives - Allyson K Hurley, DDS

April 28, 2017 by

My dentures feel like I have a toothache. I know it’s impossible and that it’s not a toothache because I don’t have any natural teeth. That’s the closest thing I can compare it to, though. This has been a problem I guess for the past 4 months or so. I’ve had these dentures for 4 years and although I have never been comfortable with them, this is the first time I’ve actually felt like I have a toothache. I got the dentures from a big denture center and not much is really getting accomplished except they relined the dentures. I’m trying to decide if I should just get new dentures. I was talking about this to one of my close friends and she suggested that maybe the dentures aren’t the problem. I’m not sure how that could be, but I do need to make some decisions. Can you give me any idea of why my dentures feel like I have a toothache? Thanks much. Bryson

Bryson – It’s normal to feel pain and discomfort after you first receive your dentures, but pain that starts four years after receiving them raises some concerns. If your sensation of pain feels like a toothache, there are a few possible causes.

Reasons You Might Feel Like You Have a Toothache in Your Dentures

There are various reasons why your pain feels like a toothache, even though you wear dentures. Some possibilities are below.

Your dentures might be too large – Uneven pressure on your gums can put pressure on gum tissue and nerves. The pain beneath the gumline can cause you to feel like you have a toothache.
The condition of the dentures – If any part of the denture is sharp or misshaped, it will put pressure on, or irritate, your gums. Nerves can be affected and increase the pain.
An accumulation of bacteria or fungi – If dentures aren’t kept very clean, bacteria or fungi can accumulate and cause an infection. If your gums are infected, the pain can resemble a toothache.
Thinning gums or shrinking jawbone – When your jawbone shrinks or if your gums are thinning, dentures can put pressure on those points and cause irritation, inflammation, and pain.
Exposure of an old tooth root – If all of your natural teeth are missing, or have been extracted, as your jawbone shrinks, an old tooth root that remains might be exposed. If your denture rubs on the area it can become irritated and sore.

Although you’re not comfortable with the results you’re getting from dental center where you purchased your dentures, you should get a second opinion. Schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist to have your dentures, gum tissue, and jawbone examined. He or she will determine the cause of your pain and recommend treatment.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

October 13, 2015 by

Wait a minute. That’s a loaded question. What do diabetes, dentures, and your stomach (?) have to do with each other? We need a little clarification, don’t we? Let’s start with stomatitis. Stoma is a Greek word that means mouth or opening. Words that end in “itis” refer to inflammation. So denture stomatitis is inflammation and soreness in the mouth that can be aggravated by wearing dentures. The result is irritated and very red oral tissue beneath your dentures.

In 2013, a study published in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry showed that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience oral inflammation beneath their dentures than people who don’t have diabetes at all. 61% of type 2 diabetes patients were affected, while only 38% of non-diabetic denture wearers in the study had denture stomatitis.

What does all of this mean if you have diabetes and wear dentures?

You may know that diabetes increases your risk of skin and tissue irritation. Gum tissue is at risk also—particularly when dentures rub against your gums and irritate them.

So what can you do about it?

Ensure that you only receive custom dentures that fit properly and don’t irritate your gum tissue. If your dentures rest directly on your gums, it increases the chances of irritation.
Some patients choose dental implants, which are surgically implanted in the jawbone to support dentures and prevent them from resting on your gums. But not everyone can afford dental implants, and not all patients are candidates for them.
Good oral hygiene helps. Keep your mouth and your dentures clean. Whenever possible, rinse your mouth and dentures after meals to remove food debris. If food is left on or beneath your dentures, it can lead to bacteria and an infection. Smoking can also irritate your gums, and it encourages yeast infection in your mouth. Brush your dentures, mouth, tongue, and the roof of your mouth daily.
Don’t wear your dentures while you sleep. Instead, soak them in fresh water or denture-soaking solution. Your saliva production decreases while you sleep, which increases the chances of bacteria and plaque buildup on your dentures.
Drink plenty of water. It will keep your mouth moist and help wash away acid and bacteria from food that may otherwise collect in your mouth.
Keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments. Although you may not have natural teeth that need to be cleaned, a thorough examination by your dentist can result in early detection of any oral health issues that may be developing. Inform your dentist right away if you experience any irritation in your mouth or around your dentures.

Denture stomatitis is not automatic for people with diabetes. Insist on quality dentures that fit well, maintain good oral hygiene and how, and cooperate with your dentist to ensure that you maintain good oral health.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

January 18, 2013 by

hello. my gums are taking over my teeth. i know i havent done the best job brushing & flossing but why does it look like my gums are growing??? my mom made a couple of dentists appts 4 me but i blew them off really bcuz i’m afraid. but if this is really a big problem maybe i need 2 go to the dentist. what do u think? thanks – mk

MK – It is possible that you have gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue. You didn’t state your age, but hormonal changes, along with poor oral hygiene can cause overgrowth of gum tissue.

You should have a dentist examine your teeth and gums. And you should start practicing good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily.

Hereditary factors, certain medications, and medical conditions can contribute to the overgrowth of gum tissue, but your dentist will review your medical history with you to identify the contributing factors.

Depending on the cause of the overgrowth, an antibiotic may be prescribed, or surgery may be recommended to remove the excess gum tissue. In every case, good oral hygiene should be practiced at home, and you should regularly have your teeth examined and cleaned at your dentist’s office.

This post is sponsored by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.