How To Prevent Oral Thrush If You Wear Dentures

Oral thrush can affect anyone, but it is most commonly seen in babies, the elderly, and those with suppressed immune systems. It is a minor issue in a healthy individual; however, it can be quite severe in someone with a weakened immune system. Those on antibiotics may disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in the body, which commonly causes thrush in an otherwise healthy person.

Denture wearers who develop stomatitis, or mild inflammation of the oral membrane, have thrush in about 90 percent of cases. Here's how to prevent oral thrush from affecting you if you wear dentures.

Causes of Oral Thrush

The most common cause of oral thrush in adults is improper cleaning and neglectful nighttime removal of an upper denture. Additionally, dry mouth, eating a diet high in carbohydrates, taking antibiotics, immune system issues, or suffering from diabetes may also be factors. Bacterial invasion and irritation of the tissue lead to stomatitis and thrush in individuals who wear dentures.

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Oral thrush almost always causes symptoms, although they range in severity and duration.

Common symptoms are:

raised white lesions that resemble cottage cheese on your tongue, inner cheeks, gums, the roof of your mouth, and tonsils
mouth redness or soreness
mouth bleeding
loss of taste
feeling like your mouth is full of cotton
difficulty eating and swallowing if lesions spread to your throat or esophagus

Diagnosis and Treatment

A visual exam is often all that is necessary to diagnose stomatitis and thrush accurately. In situations where a visual exam is not sufficient, a swab culture is required to diagnose candidiasis accurately.

It's critical to treat oral thrush as soon as possible to contain the infection. A topical antifungal medication in either pill form or a dissolving lozenge will be prescribed. Additionally, your doctor or dentist will likely recommend the use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse. The denture device itself must also be thoroughly cleaned in a diluted bleach solution for five to seven nights. Each morning, the denture should be thoroughly rinsed with pure water before use.

Preventing Thrush While Wearing Dentures

Proper cleaning and storage of dentures will significantly reduce the risk of recurrence, or from experiencing oral thrush from the start.

Cleaning

Dentures should be removed and thoroughly rinsed in clean water after meals. The mouth should also be thoroughly cleaned before reinserting the appliance. Your dentures should be removed each night and thoroughly cleaned. Dentures should also be brushed with a special denture brush and a non-abrasive cleaning solution. Remove all denture adhesive and gently scrub each groove in the denture lining to ensure a thorough clean.

Storage

Dentures should be soaked overnight in water or a denture solution so that they retain their shape. Over time, dentures may fit loosely and should be realigned by a dentist. Never wear ill-fitting dentures. Should you notice any redness, soreness, white spots, or discomfort in your mouth, contact your dentist right away.

Knowing When To See Your Dentist

Home remedies for oral thrush may help to relieve symptoms, but they will not cure a yeast infection on their own. Home remedies are meant to be used in support, not to replace antifungal medications in the treatment of oral thrush.

Left untreated, a simple infection can become quite dangerous, especially in elderly patients with an already weakened immune system. Contact Elite Dental & Denture PC to schedule an appointment if you have any signs or symptoms of oral thrush, or if your dentures are not fitting correctly. We have the expertise and tools necessary to ensure your dentures are the perfect fit!