Amazing Home Remedies for Denture Pain Relief

Anyone can lose teeth and have to wear denture. While gum diseases are the leading cause for tooth loss, you can lose teeth due to other factors too such as congenital or birth disorder, trauma and even smoking and such diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis. There are some people who are at a higher risk of tooth loss such as men, and those who don’t care for oral hygiene. Whatever be the cause of tooth loss, the first time denture wearers suffer a lot due to sore gums. The denture needs to adjust inside their mouth and their jaws also have to learn how to move around the dentures. This gives rise to what is called denture pain.

Not only have the first timers, even those who wear denture since a long time also suffered from denture pain. This pain can be a result of various factors like mouth infections or denture sets that do not fit properly and keep moving inside the mouth.

So, what to do if you get a denture pain or precisely speaking, denture related pain that occurs in gums or other parts of your mouth!

There are many precautions that can be taken so that the pain due to your denture doesn’t occur at the first place. If, however, you suffer from such pain in gums or mouth due to your denture, you can take the help of various denture pain remedies.

First Timers- Wear Dentures to Avoid Pain and How!

Your dentures are different from your grandparents’ false teeth, thanks to the continued improvements in the materials used for making them and also the design and structure of dentures that are now more conducive to human mouth. Today’s dentures are more natural looking and comfortable to wear. However, when you wear them for the first time, you should know that dentures take a long time, about 1-2 months to get properly adjusted to your mouth. Also, how you and your dentist deal with your new denture and its settings will decide whether you will keep getting denture pain or not!

Go to your dentist frequently for denture adjustment

Once your natural teeth are removed, your gums and bones keep on shrinking and they change a lot until they get healed completely. This is why denture fitting is not a procedure which completes in a day, it is fitted over a period of at least 1-2 months.

You need several readjustments just after your start wearing your new denture. In fact, first you are given what is called ‘immediate dentures’. You have to wear this and get frequent adjustments to finally receive your ‘permanent dentures’.

Whenever you feel, you are not comfortable with the denture, visit your dentist and get the denture adjusted as per the changes that have occurred in your mouth due to the healing process. This is crucial in avoiding future dental pain.

Get your permanent dentures re-lined

Even after you get your permanent dentures, a work remains to be done- re-lining your new dentures! As you now know that there occur changes in your gums and bones and thus, relining of your dentures is required for a perfect fit.  If your denture is a hard denture, acrylic material is used for relining. A soft denture reline is done using a softer and flexible material.

Use denture adhesive as soon as you start feeling pain

This pain can be due to ill-fitting dentures. You can improve its fitting temporarily by using denture adhesive. Apply 3-4 small dabs of such adhesive on your upper denture and similar amount around the inside of your lower denture. Denture adhesive will hold your dentures more securely and help in relieving or lessening the pain, temporarily. You need to correct the poor fit if you want to get rid of such dental pain permanently. Go to your dentist as soon as possible for this purpose.

Take proper care of dentures

This is essential to retain the shape of your denture. Dentures lose their shape when they are allowed to dry out. When not using, keep them soaked in water. However, do not soak them in hot water. This may lead to warping. A changed shaped of denture means it will become ill fit for your mouth and then will give rise to pain.

Use topical oral pain reliever on your gums

You can ask your dentist about it beforehand so that you can apply this to your gums as soon as you get pain (which is almost unavoidable with a new denture). You may also make use of certain home remedies for denture pain that we will discuss later here.

Long Time Users- How to Relieve Denture Pain

As you have read earlier, even those users who wear dentures since very long, may get denture pain.  This can be due to poor fit of the denture over the period of time due to various reasons.

• As the gums and bones shrink with age, you may need to get new denture every few years. The gum ridges also recede with age as well as the alignment of your jaws transforms. All this requires you to go to your dentist and get the dentures examined.
• Generally, dentures last up to 5 -7 years. If you are using your dentures more than these numbers of years, it’s time to get your new dentures. Your old denture might be giving you the pain due to its lost structure or changes in your mouth.
• If your denture gets a lose fit due to all the reasons mentioned above, you may get pain, sores, infections and other facial problems too. When you visit your dentist, he will tell you if your denture needs to be adjusted, rebased or relined. Sometimes only a soft denture reline is all to give you relief from denture pain. However, if your denture is really too old or has got damaged, you might need to get it replaced with new denture.
• Sometimes stomatitis (yeast or thrush infection of the mouth) can also lead to pain inside your mouth. However, mouth soreness can also be caused due to poorly fitting dentures or dentures that have been worn too long. Your dentist is the best person to tell you about the exact reason for the pain. Once the cause is known, you can take the required steps to alleviate the pain.

You are then left with two options. One, either change the denture or get it rebased or relined. Two, get proper treatment for all other causes of pain in mouth or use home remedies to get rid of denture pain.

Home Remedies for Denture Related Pain

Use Olive Oil for Sore Gums

You might suffer from sore gums many a times, especially if you are a first time user of dentures. Many denture wearers also suffer from gingivitis. Gingivitis leads to swelling and pain in the gums. Olive oil is one of the popular remedies for sore gums. Olive oil has anti-inflammatory effects on your gums and thus it reduces the swelling there probably by increasing vitamin K levels. This reduces bacteria in the mouth and you get rid of the pain. Sometimes when you get the pain due to excessively dry mouth, olive oil can be useful in preventing such dryness.

Get this:

Olive oil

Do this:

• Take 1 tbsp of olive oil
• Swish it in your mouth for 30-40 seconds or even for a couple of minutes if you can do so.
• Now spit it out.
• Keep doing this for about 5-10 minutes.
• When you are about to go to sleep at night, remove your dentures.
• Apply olive oil directly to your gums
• If you feel pain and sensitivity in gums due to dryness, apply some olive oil on your gums a few minutes before you wear your dentures.
• Wait for some time so that the oil gets absorbed in your gums.
• Wipe away any excess oil using a clean cloth.
• Now wear your dentures.

Do this home treatment for a week. If your pain is still there or gets worse after a week, immediately consult your dentist. Your pain might be due to gum and jaw infection.

Clove for Pain in Mouth and Gums

Clove is one of the most effective home remedies for tooth pain of any kind. It has been used from centuries in the Asian countries and now almost all the countries of the world use it as the best folk remedy for pain in gums and mouth. Even dentists use cloves or clove oil to help relieve pain. Why cloves are so effective for toothache? They contain eugenol, a strong anesthetic and antiseptic that stops pain and combats germs.

Get this:

Clove or clove oil

Do this:

• Take a whole clove and place it between the aching teeth and adjoining sore gum spot.
• If possible, try to chew it slowly to release its juice and oil.
• If not, just hold it in place. It will gradually release its contents to heal your pain.
• In a few minutes, you will feel the numbness that it brings on.
• If you are not comfortable with whole clove, get clove oil.
• With the help of a cotton ball, apply some clove oil at the sore spot inside your mouth.
• Repeat this several times a day.

Figs for Pain and Sore Gums

Figs have been used in many parts of the world as a natural pain-relieving agent, especially for toothache. They are even used as remedy for painful abscesses and irritated gums. Mexicans, Hispanics and Arabs use figs extensively to combat mouth sores.

Get this:

Fresh Fig

Do this:

• Cut the fig it into two halves.
• Take one of the half and place it between your cheek and the sore spot on the gum. Ensure that the open side of the fig touches your sore gum.
• Keep still while you have the fig piece inside your mouth so that it gets time to heal the sore gum.
• You may remove it after 20-30 minutes.

Homemade Herbal Mouth Rinse for Denture Pain Relief

There are many ingredients right in your kitchen cupboards and herbal stores that you can use to make a herbal mouth rinse for all types of pain in your mouth including the one caused by denture. All these herbs and herb spices help relieve pain. They all have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and pain relieving properties.

Get this:

• Aniseed (crushed)- 2 tsp
• Peppermint leaves- 1 tbsp
• Myrrh tincture- 1 tsp
• Water- 2 cups

Do this:

• Bring the water to a boil
• Add the crushed aniseed and peppermint leaves and simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
• Put off the flame and cover the pan.
• Let it steep for hours until it cools down completely
• Strain it.
• Now add the myrrh tincture, It is not only an antiseptic agent but also works as a preservative for your homemade mouth rinse.
• Store this in a bottle.
• To use, take out 2 tbsp of this herbal mouth rinse made by you and swish it in your mouth for a couple of minutes. Spit it out.
• Repeat this 2-3 times a day.
• Always shake the bottle before you take out the solution to rinse your mouth.

Rinse your mouth with Warm Salt Water

Take out the dentures first. Never use hot water while you are wearing your denture. Whenever rinsing your mouth, take out the denture and rinse with warm water (not hot water) having salt in it. Salt has anti-bacterial properties. It helps in drawing out and draining any abscess that might have formed on your gums due to the dentures.

Get this:

• Warm water- 1-2 cups
• Salt- 1 tsp

Do this:

• Add salt to the warm water
• Mix well
• Take some in mouth and swish it in the mouth for few seconds before spitting it out.
• Repeat till all the water finishes.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water 2-3 times a day.
• After rinsing the mouth, wait for some time before wearing your denture.

Use Aloe Vera to get rid of Dental Pain

Aloe vera, the magical herb, has been used since biblical times for various medical needs. Many Russian studies also mention the use of aloe vera for treatment of various gum diseases. Aloe vera today is being used for a wide range of dental issues including pain. Aloe vera is a healing and soothing herb. Your gums sometimes get the pain because they become sensitive due to rough toothbrushes, dentifrice abrasion, dental floss, crunchy foods, tooth picks and of course dentures. International Aloe Science Council says, aloe vera can soothe sore and swollen gums effectively. It can, in fact, treat mouth lesions too. When you get pain due to constant rubbing of poorly fitted dentures, you can apply soothing aloe vera gel to your gums. It not only reduces swelling but also controls bacterial contamination.

Get this:

Aloe vera gel (preferably from fresh aloe leaf)

Do this:

• Take some aloe vera gel
• Apply it directly on your sore gums
• That’s all!
• If however, you feel uncomfortable due to thought of a foreign element inside your mouth, rinse your mouth with plain water after about 20-30 minutes.
• You can repeat this as many times as you want during the day.

Apple Cider Vinegar reduces Denture Pain

Apple cider vinegar has been widely accepted as one of the best anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent. The antiseptic properties of ACV help kill bacteria that might have resulted from dentures or other causes. This relieves all kinds of pain in mouth.

Get this:

• Apple cider vinegar- 1-2 tbsp
• Water- 1 glass

Do this:

• Add apple cider vinegar to the glass of water.
• Mix it well.
• Now rinse your mouth with this solution.
• Repeat 2-3 times a day.

It will promote healing and help you get rid of germs too.

Use Sage to relieve Denture Pain

Sage herb has anti-inflammatory properties that can effectively reduce gum pain as well as swelling. It also has antimicrobial properties that kill the germs inside your mouth. You can thus use this herbal remedy to treat your irritated and swollen gums due to dentures. You can simply chew a few fresh sage leaves to relieve pain. If not, rinse your mouth as described below.

Get this:

• Sage dried herb- 1 tsp
• Water- 1 cup

Do this:

• Boil the water and sage herb together for about 5-10 minutes
• Let it cool down to room temperature.
• Strain and rinse your mouth with this herbal water.
• Repeat 2-3 times a day.

Black Tea Remedy for Denture Pain

Black tea has tannic acid in it. Tannic acid is an astringent that helps relieve pain and inflammation. It also helps contain the spread of bacteria inside your mouth. You can use it effectively to get rid of sore gums given to you by your dentures.

Get this:

• Black tea – 1 tsp (or 1 tea bag)
• Water- 1-2 cups

Do this:

• Boil the water.
• Add black tea to this.
• Simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Strain and let it cool down
• If using tea bag, steep it in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
• Allow it to cool down after removing the tea bag.
• Rinse your mouth with this tea.
• Repeat twice a day.

Tea Tree Oil for Denture Pain

This is for those who get the pain due to oral yeast infection. Denture wearers are at a higher risk of getting denture stomatitis or oral thrush. Denture stomatitis is caused by a yeast or fungus known as candida. If you have red area under the denture, get yourself tested for thrush. As an immediate home treatment, you can use tea tree oil to get rid of pain and swelling. Tea tree oil is an excellent antibacterial agent and is able to effectively combat yeast as well.

Get this:

• Tea tree oil- few drops
• Water (optional)- 2-3 tbsp to 1 cup

Do this:

• If you can tolerate the strength of tea tree oil, you can directly apply 1-2 drops of this oil on your sore gums. However, it is recommended to use after diluting it with water.
• Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to 2-3 tbsp of water and apply to your gums
• You can also add few drops of tea tree oil to a cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in this water. Now apply this cotton to the sore gum. Hold it there for few minutes
• You can also rinse your mouth with a cup of water in which a few drops of tea tree oil has been added.

If the condition doesn’t improve in 2-3 days, visit your dentist and get proper treatment.

Tips for Proper Denture Care and Usage

Handling your dentures properly is the first and foremost requirement to avoid and treat denture problems and pains.

• Ensure your dentures fit properly. Pay regular visit to your dentist. Your dentures need to be adjusted, modified, or replaced with a new one as your gums and bones change over time.
• First timers, speak slowly. If you are a first time denture user, speak less and softly. If your dentures move around while laughing or smiling, gently bite down and swallow to get them back in place. Don’t forget to go to your dentist to adjust the fit.
• Have soft foods in the initial days after fitting dentures. For the first couple of days, have just liquids like juice, shakes, soups, broths. Don’t have them too hot or too cold. Best is, have them at room temperature. Take small bites of soft foods like eggs and yogurt. Avoid eating anything sticky. Chew your food slowly and use both sides of your mouth at the same time. This will prevent your dentures from moving forward or tipping.
• Don’t sleep with your dentures. Do this only if your dentist suggests you to do so for particular periods, such as after multiple extractions and initial fitting of new dentures.
• Handle dentures carefully. They can break easily. Whenever holding your dentures, stand over a sink filled with water or place a towel or a cloth on the counter so that if you accidentally drop them, they remain safe.
• Clean your dentures daily, before putting them in your mouth in the morning. Keep them soaked overnight in a denture cleaner. Use a soft-bristled brush or special denture-cleaning brush to clean them thoroughly. Never use roughly powdered cleaners, bleach or toothpaste on your dentures. They all are too abrasive and can damage your denture.
• Clean your mouth daily. Massage your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth gently before wearing your dentures. Maintain proper oral hygiene. This is important to avoid any gum or mouth infection that may lead to pain.
• Store dentures properly. Whenever not in use, store them in a denture-cleaning solution or warm water. Never use hot water as dentures lose their shape due to heat.
• Never use toothpicks. They can damage the dentures and give you denture pain.

If you follow these tips, you won’t get denture pain. If, somehow, you suffer from pain due to denture, use the home remedies for denture pain explained in this article.