Denture Stomatitis

We’ve placed a lot of prosthetic teeth at the dental office of Dr. Martin Urban. Many of them were dentures, which may have been attached to implants or allowed to rest on the gum ridges. In either case, we always encourage our patients to maintain their oral hygiene, because if they don’t, they will be at risk of developing denture stomatitis.

Candida species of yeast are always in the mouth, but they are not usually able to cause harm. Saliva contains enzymes that combat them, and people are usually able to keep their teeth clear of debris. But when someone has an upper denture adhered to the roof of their mouth, saliva may not be able to reach the top of the denture. This would allow a yeast infection to develop, creating the red sores we call stomatitis.

A patient isn’t always able to feel when sores have developed, so they need to do frequent examinations of their mouth. An infection is likelier to occur when the dentures are the wrong size, which can also lead to saliva pooling at the corners of the mouth and causing chapping. People with diabetes or who use inhalers are also at increased risk for stomatitis. Patients with dentures should remember to brush the inside of their mouth before putting their dentures in each morning and to make sure that they’re clearing debris away from implant abutments. They should also stay hydrated and might want to consider mouthwash.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.