Denture sore spots: what causes them and what to do

Why dentures cause sore spots

A sore spot means the denture is pressing too hard on one part of your gum. It might be a high spot, a rough edge or a denture that has started to move. The gum is soft, so it takes only a little rubbing to get sore.

Sore spots are common in the first weeks with a new denture. They also show up years later, when the gums and bone have changed and the old denture no longer fits.

The good news is that most sore spots are simple to fix. The key is to see your dentist, not to wait or to try to fix the denture yourself.

Pain from a denture can also come from the bite. If the upper and lower teeth do not meet evenly, one area takes more of the force. Your dentist can check and balance this in a few minutes.

The most common causes

Your own habits matter here as well. If you press your teeth together during the day or grind at night, the denture takes extra force. Ask your dentist about a night guard if you grind, and try to keep your teeth slightly apart when you are not eating.

Cleveland Clinic explains that the jawbone gradually shrinks after tooth loss. That change is slow, but over the years it is a main reason for sore spots in dentures that used to feel fine.

Here are the usual reasons for sore spots:

• A new denture that needs a small adjustment, since gum tissue needs time to adapt
• A denture that has become loose as your gums and bone shrink
• Food, seeds or grains trapped under the denture
• A crack, rough edge or sharp spot on the denture
• Wearing the denture all day and all night with no rest for the gums
• Too much or too little adhesive
• Grinding or clenching your teeth, which adds pressure

What to do at home

Keep notes on when it hurts. Does the spot hurt only when you chew, or all day? Is it on one side or all over? Does it hurt more after eating a certain food? These details help your dentist find the cause faster.

If you wear a partial denture, check the area around the clasps. A clasp that is bent or too tight can irritate both the gum and the tooth it grips.

If you are in the first days after getting a new denture, your dentist may ask you to wear it to the visit, even if it hurts. That way they can see exactly where the pressure is. Call and ask before you decide.

While you wait for your appointment, these steps can help:

• Take the denture out for a few hours to let the gum rest, if your dentist has said it is OK to do so.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).
• Clean the denture well, so no food or bacteria sits on the rough spot.
• Eat soft foods and avoid very hot, spicy or hard foods.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you can safely use one, and follow the label.

What not to do

If a denture is cracked or has a sharp edge, stop wearing it and call your dentist. Wearing a broken denture can cut your gums, and it is often easy to repair if it is caught early.

Home repairs can change the fit and hurt your gums. A broken or bent denture is also harder to fix later.

Some quick fixes make things worse. Please avoid these:

• Do not file, cut or bend the denture yourself
• Do not use super glue or store-bought glue on a crack
• Do not put more and more adhesive on to stop movement
• Do not use numbing gels for days in a row to keep wearing a painful denture
• Do not stop wearing the denture for weeks, because gums can change shape and the denture may not fit when you try again

How a dentist fixes a sore spot

Your dentist looks at your gum, finds the spot of pressure and checks your bite. Often the fix is quick. The dentist may use a marking paste to find where the denture presses, then trim or smooth that spot.

Cleveland Clinic says dentures that hurt or pinch the gums warrant a dental appointment. For a new denture, the first weeks usually include several adjustments. Cleveland Clinic says to expect several adjustments in the first couple of weeks.

If the denture is loose, your dentist may suggest a reline. This means adding new material inside so the denture hugs your gums again. Cleveland Clinic recommends a reline every 1 to 2 years, or sooner if the fit changes. If the denture is old or cracked, a new one may be a better choice.

It helps to bring your denture and your questions to the visit. If you use adhesive, bring the brand too. Some people are sensitive to certain products, and your dentist may suggest changing it or stopping it.

Signs that need a faster visit

Smokers and people with dry mouth, diabetes or certain medicines need to be extra careful. Dry or irritated tissue heals more slowly and is more likely to get a yeast infection. Tell your dentist about your health and medicines so they can plan around them.

Keep your phone handy. Take a picture of a sore spot, so you can show your dentist how it changes from one day to the next. It helps you remember whether it is getting better or worse.

A rough denture can also lead to a yeast infection under the denture. It causes red, sore gums and can be treated, so please get it checked. Any sore that lasts more than two weeks should be seen by a professional.

Most sore spots are minor. But call your dentist or doctor soon if you notice any of these:

• A sore that does not heal in about two weeks
• White or red patches in your mouth
• Swelling, fever or pus
• Pain that is getting worse
• Bleeding that does not stop
• Red, sore gums under the whole denture
• Cracks at the corners of your mouth

How to avoid sore spots in the future

Finally, remember that you are not doing anything wrong. Gums change, and dentures need care over the years. Needing an adjustment is a normal part of wearing them.

If you keep having sore spots on a lower denture, or your denture never feels steady, ask about implant options. Implants hold a denture in place, so it presses less and moves less.

You cannot avoid every sore spot, but good habits lower the chance:

• Keep your follow-up visits after a new denture
• Get a checkup at least once a year, and ask about relines
• Clean the denture every day
• Remove the denture for at least eight hours a day, as Cleveland Clinic advises
• Rinse after meals to get seeds and crumbs out
• Call at the first sign of a loose fit instead of waiting

Help for denture sore spots at KDA

If your denture hurts, we can take a look. Kendall Dental Associates makes and adjusts partial and full dentures at 8833 SW 107th Ave in the Kendall Mall, Miami. We have been serving South Florida since 1973.

Call 305-271-1421 to schedule. We are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you have severe pain, swelling or a broken denture at night or on the weekend, our emergency line is open 24/7.

We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, financing is available, and there is free parking outside.

Common questions

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: my.clevelandclinic.org.