Denture stomatitis is a common condition that affects denture wearers. Noticeable symptoms include significant redness, tenderness, and swelling in the mouth when you have denture stomatitis. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can significantly reduce the risk of oral stomatitis.
What Are the Major Causes of Denture Stomatitis?
Dentists associate denture stomatitis with poor denture and oral hygiene. It is also common if you wear nighttime dentures or if they are ill-fitting. Denture stomatitis occurs from a yeast infection that emerges when the fungus Candida albicans is present in the mouth. Candida is an opportunistic fungal pathogen, usually in our digestive tract. According to BioMed Research International, there are more than 200 different types of Candida, and Candida albicans make up 75 percent of all these species.
Common Treatments for Denture Stomatitis
Different treatment options for denture stomatitis include natural remedies, photodynamic therapy, microwave disinfection, denture disinfection and cleaning, and anti-fungal treatment. Anti-fungal treatment is considered the first line of defense for denture stomatitis. Some common anti-fungal medicines include miconazole and nystatin. Dentists use these medications as lozenges and add anti-fungal ointments to reduce soreness, swelling, and redness.
The choice of anti-fungal treatment for denture stomatitis is because it is a fungal infection. Many people think denture stomatitis is a bacterial infection, but it is not. When there is an excessive existence of yeast, it multiplies in large numbers due to the warmth, moisture, and dark reservoir provided by dentures. The dentures act as a petri dish that allows the proliferation of fungus and bacteria, given that both pathogens thrive in the same environment.
Diagnosis of Denture Stomatitis
Dentists diagnose denture stomatitis using its clinical appearance. Its appearance manifests with a pattern of redness and swelling that also follows the dentures in contact with the tissue. If unsure, your dentist will perform a test using microbiological swabs taken from the palate and tested in a laboratory.
Closing Remarks
If you wear dentures, you are at a high risk of developing denture stomatitis. However, the risk is even higher if you do not practice oral hygiene. Should you notice any of the symptoms, please do not hesitate to call our dental practice.
Dental Blog | Wausau, WI | Wanserski Dental Center for Complex Dentistry Dr. David Wanserski, DDS, from Wanserski Dental Center for Complex Dentistry, has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Learn more. Wanserski Dental Center for Complex Dentistry, 550 N. 17th Ave. Wausau, WI 54401; (715) 848-2435; wanserskidental.com; 11/14/2024; Page Terms:dental implants Wausau WI;