My New Dentures Hurt? What Do I Do?

If you’ve recently had new dentures fitted and you’re thinking, “These don’t feel right at all,” you’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns we hear from patients at The Swissedent Denture Clinic in London. The good news is that in most cases, some discomfort is completely normal in the early stages. The even better news is that it’s usually easy to fix.

Let’s walk through what’s happening, what’s normal, what’s not, and what you should actually do next.

Why Do New Dentures Feel Uncomfortable?
Your mouth has gone through a big change. Even the best-fitting dentures are still a foreign object sitting on soft tissues that aren’t used to that kind of pressure.
Think of it like buying a brand new pair of shoes.
• At first, they might rub slightly
• You may notice pressure points
• They feel strange when you walk
• But over time, they “bed in” and become comfortable
Dentures work in a very similar way. Your gums, muscles, and tongue all need time to adapt. This adjustment period is completely normal and expected.

Are Sore Spots and Ulcers Normal?
Yes, to a degree. Mild sore spots or small ulcers can happen when you first start wearing dentures.
These usually occur because:
• Certain areas are under slightly more pressure
• The denture base is settling onto your gums
• Your mouth is still adjusting to movement and function

You might notice:
• Red patches on the gums
• Tender areas when chewing
• Small ulcers that feel like irritation spots
This doesn’t mean your dentures are “wrong.” It usually just means they need fine-tuning.
However, there’s a clear line between normal discomfort and excessive pain.

What Is NOT Normal?
While mild discomfort is expected, severe pain is not something you should ignore.
You should take action if you experience:
• Sharp or intense pain
• Large or worsening ulcers
• Bleeding that doesn’t settle
• Dentures that feel unstable or rock excessively
• Pain that stops you from eating or speaking

If it hurts badly, do not force yourself to wear the dentures all day. This can make things worse and cause more inflammation.

What Should I Do If My Dentures Hurt?
Here’s the practical approach we recommend to all our patients at Swissedent.
• If the discomfort is mild, continue wearing your dentures and allow your mouth to adapt
• If the pain becomes significant, remove the dentures and give your gums a rest
• Keep your follow-up or adjustment appointment booked and attend it
• Before your appointment, wear the dentures again for a few hours or ideally the day before

That last point is very important.
If you arrive at your appointment pain-free because you haven’t worn your dentures, it becomes much harder for the clinician to identify the exact pressure points.

Wearing them before your visit allows:
• The sore areas to become visible
• The clinician to pinpoint exactly where adjustments are needed
• Faster and more accurate relief
In most cases, it’s a small adjustment that makes a big difference.

How Denture Adjustments Work
Adjustments are a normal part of the denture process. Even with precise impressions and high-quality craftsmanship, your mouth is unique and changes slightly as it adapts.

At your review appointment, your clinician will:
• Examine your mouth for pressure points
• Use pressure-indicating materials to identify tight areas
• Carefully relieve specific spots on the denture
• Smooth and polish the surface for comfort
This is not a major procedure. It’s usually quick, precise, and highly effective.
Most patients feel significant improvement after just one or two adjustment visits.

Denture Hygiene Matters More Than You Think
When your mouth is already adapting, the last thing you want is irritation from poor hygiene. Keeping your dentures and gums clean plays a big role in comfort.

Here’s what you should be doing daily:
• Remove and rinse your dentures after eating
• Brush your dentures gently with a denture brush and non-abrasive cleaner
• Avoid using regular toothpaste as it can be too harsh
• Soak your dentures overnight in a suitable denture solution
• Clean your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft brush or gauze

Good hygiene helps to:
• Reduce inflammation
• Prevent infections such as denture stomatitis
• Keep your mouth feeling fresh and comfortable
• Extend the life of your dentures

Should I Sleep With My Dentures In?
In most cases, no. We recommend removing your dentures at night.
This allows your gums to rest and recover from daily pressure.

Wearing dentures 24 hours a day can:
• Increase the risk of sore spots
• Lead to fungal infections
• Prevent proper healing of irritated areas

Giving your mouth a break overnight is one of the simplest ways to improve comfort.

Eating and Speaking With New Dentures

This is another adjustment phase that can feel frustrating at first, but it improves quickly with practice.
For eating:
• Start with soft foods
• Cut food into small pieces
• Chew slowly and evenly on both sides
• Avoid very hard or sticky foods initially

For speaking:
• You may notice slight changes in pronunciation
• Reading out loud can help you adapt faster by saying the numbers from 50 to 60 once a day.
• Your tongue will quickly learn how to work with the dentures

Again, think of it like learning something new. It feels awkward at first, then becomes second nature.

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to Dentures?
Everyone is different, but most patients adapt within a few weeks.
Typical timeline:
• First few days: awareness, mild discomfort, increased saliva
• First 1 to 2 weeks: improvement in comfort and function
• By 3 to 4 weeks: significant adaptation for most patients

Adjustments along the way are part of the process, not a sign of failure.

When Should I Contact My Clinician?
You should get in touch if:
• Pain is severe or worsening
• Ulcers are not improving
• Dentures feel loose or unstable
• You are unable to eat or speak properly
• Something just doesn’t feel right

It’s always better to check early rather than wait.

At The Swissedent Denture Clinic in London, we encourage open communication. Your comfort is part of the treatment, not an afterthought.

A Reassuring Final Thought
New dentures are not just a product you receive. They are something your body learns to work with.
A small amount of discomfort at the beginning is normal. It doesn’t mean you’ve made the wrong decision or that something has gone wrong.

With the right adjustments, proper hygiene, and a bit of patience, most patients go on to enjoy comfortable, natural-looking dentures that restore their confidence in eating, speaking, and smiling.

And if something doesn’t feel right, you’re not expected to figure it out alone. That’s what we’re here for.
At The Swissedent Denture Clinic in London, We offer trusted care and premium quality dentures, with fair and transparent pricing, to help you eat, speak, and smile with confidence.


📞: 0203 489 2055 or 0208 520 8528 

📧 : [email protected]

📍: 25a St James Street, London, Walthamstow,  E17 7PJ