Dentures help you smile with confidence and eat your favorite foods. They’re supposed to improve your quality of life — but sometimes, it seems like all they give you is pain.
Your dentures are not supposed to hurt, but it’s normal to experience some discomfort and pain from dentures when they are new. Still, your dentures should not hurt after you have had them in for a few weeks. If you are still experiencing discomfort, you can manage the symptoms with a few simple at-home remedies.
Here are five home remedy options for sore gums from dentures.
1. Rinse with Salt Water
Salt can provide significant denture pain relief when you’re adjusting to wearing dentures. It works because salt water creates osmosis to reduce the swelling in your gums. This home remedy for sore gums from dentures can also prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth and decrease your risk of developing dry mouth and mouth sores — two common issues that denture wearers face. For this reason, rinsing your mouth with salt water is one of the best solutions for denture pain relief.
To complete a salt and water rinse, you’ll first need to remove your dentures and rub salt on your gums. It may sting at first, especially if you have an open sore. After several seconds, rinse the salt off using warm water. This should be done once daily.
Alternatively, you can add some salt (half a teaspoon to one teaspoon) to a glass of warm water. Then, rinse with this solution. Swish the salt water for 30 seconds, then spit it into the sink. This should be done 3-5 times daily until any swelling you’re experiencing subsides.
2. Treat Your Gums with Tea
Should your dentures hurt, another effective home remedy for sore gums from dentures is to apply tea to them. Black tea works because it has a high tannin concentration, which reduces dental cavities and bacterial infections like strep throat. This acid can also help to keep oral cancer at bay.
To perform a treatment with black tea, you’ll need to steep your bag of tea leaves in a cup of water for at least five minutes. The water should be hot. Then, remove the bag and allow it to cool down. Next, hold the tea bag on your gums for 10-15 minutes and rinse the mouth using lukewarm water.
For the best results with this home remedy for sore gums from dentures, hold the tea bag on your gums once or twice daily for several days. Also, don’t drink or eat anything besides water during the tea treatment.
3. Embrace Aloe Vera
Aloe vera leaves are yet another home remedy for sore gums from dentures. That’s because this herb offers both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, it can provide denture pain relief, keep harmful bacteria from growing in your mouth, and soothe gums that have become inflamed. Aloe vera also prevents dry mouth.
You can buy aloe vera gel in any pharmacy for only a few dollars. Apply this gel directly to your sore gums with a ball of cotton. Allow the aloe vera to sit on your gums for about 10 minutes, and then use cool water to rinse the mouth. Don’t eat or drink for an hour after the treatment. In addition, repeat this home remedy for sore gums from dentures 2-3 times each day until your pain has disappeared.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Yet another effective solution for denture pain relief is to practice excellent oral hygiene. This home remedy for sore gums from dentures will keep bacteria from making your dentures their home and, in turn, causing your gums to swell and become painful. It will also keep your dentures stain-free and decrease bad breath. Simply clean your gums, tongue, and dentures with a soft brush twice daily.
5. Use a Clove Mouthwash
Denture wearers wondering how to relieve denture pain may also benefit from using a clove mouthwash to alleviate their discomfort. This home remedy for sore gums from dentures is not available in some stores, but you can easily order it online. Follow the instructions on the bottle for rinsing your mouth.
Clove’s two primary compounds are acetyl eugenol and eugenol, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This is why cloves are great for denture pain relief. They also help with disinfecting the mouth.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make a clove mouthwash at home. Grind enough cloves to produce half a teaspoon of clove powder. Then, add a few olive oil drops to the powder and place this mixture on your hurting gums. Allow this home remedy for sore gums from dentures to remain on your gums for five minutes before rinsing it away with warm water. Repeat this application twice daily until your dentures no longer cause discomfort to your gums.
When to See Your Dentist for Denture Pain
Should your dentures continue to hurt for more than eight weeks after you’ve tried the above-mentioned home remedy options for sore gums from dentures, you should schedule a visit with your dentist. They’ll work on deciphering what’s causing the denture pain.
For instance, the problem could be that your dentures weren’t fitted properly. In this case, your dentist can adjust your dentures by rebasing or relining them. Your dentist might also recommend an adhesive to keep your dentures in place better to prevent severe infections, ulcers, and irritation. Then, they may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever to provide temporary comfort while your gums heal.
Relieve Denture Pain with Alondra Dental Care
At Alondra Dental Care, we proudly offer high-quality oral care services. Should your dentures hurt, we can show you how to relieve your denture pain and keep your gums in tip-top shape. We can also examine your mouth to spot and address any oral issues early on.We stand out not only for our customer-focused services but also for our affordability. We currently accept any PPO insurance plan. Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can take your smile up a notch, and request an appointment today!
