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Tooth loss is more than a health issue: it can be severely disheartening, making it harder to eat, speak, and conduct our daily activities with ease. To protect your smile and prevent further tooth loss, our East Nashville dentistry practice will recommend replacing any missing teeth right away, and dentures are a simple but reliable option.  

Whether partial or full dentures, they fill in the gaps in your smile and allow you to recover your full grin. While having dentures, though, protecting your gums is key to preventing irritation, sores, and a dangerous condition called gum disease.  

Can You Develop Gum Disease if You Have Dentures?

Dentures are a reliable restoration for patients with partial or complete tooth loss. These prosthetics are durable, affordable, and resistant to decay, meaning the only damage they can experience is from wear and tear or sudden accidental drops. 

If you have lost all your teeth, you may think this means your mouth is now free from infection. However, you can still develop gum disease if you don’t maintain good oral hygiene habits. 

Gum disease is a common, serious infection caused by plaque accumulation in the mouth.  

Gum disease impacts oral health and is a major sign of additional systemic diseases that compromise the body. Patients with gum disease frequently have conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, preventing gum disease in denture wearers is key to protecting their overall health.  

What Are Some Signs of Gum Disease in People with Dentures? 

There are various ways gum disease can show up: 

• Swollen, red, and sensitive gums that are prone to bleeding 
• A receding gum line 
• Changes in denture fit 
• Pain or discomfort while wearing dentures 
• Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant aftertaste
• Leftover teeth that are loose or have moved

Remember, bleeding gums are never normal. If your gums bleed when you remove or clean your dentures, it’s a sign of irritation or infection of the gum tissues.  

What Can Denture Wearers Do to Prevent These Issues? 

Even without natural teeth, the gums, tongue, and other soft tissues remain vulnerable to infection and inflammation. To keep them in good shape, you can: 

• Clean Dentures Every Day: To remove food particles and plaque, brush the surfaces of your dentures daily with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive denture cleanser. Rinse them after every meal. 
• Soak Dentures Overnight: Soaking prevents dentures from drying out or warping and helps eliminate bacteria. 
• Clean Your Gums, Tongue, and Palate: Every day, gently clean the soft tissues in your mouth with a gauze pad or soft toothbrush. This promotes circulation and gets rid of plaque. 
• Take Out Your Dentures at Night: Take a break from your gums while you sleep. This lessens the chance of fungal infections like denture stomatitis and irritation.

Maintain Healthy Gums with These Tips From Our East Nashville Dentistry Practice 

People who wear dentures are not immune to gum disease. In fact, factors like ill-fitting dentures or underlying health conditions can make people more prone to periodontitis, putting their oral and overall health at risk. 

The first steps in preventing gum disease are awareness and action. Pay attention to these signs and keep regular check-ups with Greenwood Local Dentistry to ensure your gums stay in top condition. This also helps us address this issue immediately if it develops. 

If you’re due for a dental visit, contact us today to schedule an appointment!