Denture stomatitis is a fungal infection caused by a fungus known as candida present in the mouth. This fungus is usually harmless in small amounts. However, with poor oral hygiene and failure to take off your dentures at night, candida will multiply and cause dental stomatitis. Dental stomatitis can also result from trauma or an allergic reaction in rare cases. Old and poorly fitting dentures will also cause denture stomatitis due to poor fit, injuring the mucosa, and wearing worn-out rough spaces that provide a hiding space for candida. Individuals with diabetes mellitus are also at a higher risk of dental stomatitis.
Symptoms of Dental Stomatitis
The primary symptom of dental stomatitis is swollen and red soft tissues. When you take of your dentures, your gum will have red contours mimicking your dentures' shape. You may also experience pain and bad breath from dental stomatitis. Also, plaque will be present in your mouth as scattered white lesions.
Reducing Your Risk of Denture Stomatitis
Given the risks of denture stomatitis, it is possible to keep this disease at bay with good oral hygiene. To keep your mouth clean, you should rinse with mouthwash after meals. You should also brush and soak your dentures daily in a denture cleaning solution and pay attention to the surface that rests on your gums when cleaning your dentures. Good denture habits will also keep denture stomatitis at bay. You should take off your dentures during bedtime for up to six hours to promote your tissues' healing and discourage bacterial and fungal growth.
If dental stomatitis does not go away even with good oral hygiene, you should seek treatment. We will recommend lozenges, which you will suck for up to a month to relieve the symptoms. We may also prescribe antifungal creams and antibacterial mouthwash to reduce fungal and bacterial growth. For more details on dental stomatitis, contact our office today.
Dental Blog - San Antonio • Aesthetic Periodontal & Implant Specialists We post dental blogs to pique your interest and educate our San Antonio community about topics related to dentistry, dental implants, and oral health. Aesthetic Periodontal & Implant Specialists, 1130 E Sonterra Blvd, Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78258 | (210) 614-4700 | aestheticperiodontist.com | 11/20/2024 | Page Keywords: Dental Implants San Antonio TX |
Denture stomatitis is a fungal infection caused by a fungus known as candida present in the mouth. This fungus is usually harmless in small amounts. However, with poor oral hygiene and failure to take off your dentures at night, candida will multiply and cause dental stomatitis. Dental stomatitis can also result from trauma or an allergic reaction in rare cases. Old and poorly fitting dentures will also cause denture stomatitis due to poor fit, injuring the mucosa, and wearing worn-out rough spaces that provide a hiding space for candida. Individuals with diabetes mellitus are also at a higher risk of dental stomatitis.