If your dentures are starting to cause you pain, you might be thinking of taking them out and leaving them out. However, you don't need to do that. You need to take a closer look at your denture routine. You might not realize this, but denture pain can be caused by a variety of situations. Once you know what's causing the pain, you can take measures to cure it, and ensure that the pain won't return. Discontinuing denture use won't solve the problem, it will just give you new ones to worry about.

Here are three steps you should take to eliminate the pain so you can keep wearing your dentures.

Don't Cut Corners on the Cleaning and Sanitizing

If you're not keeping your dentures clean, you could be increasing your risk of mouth sores and pain. Your dentures need to be cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis. The best way to do that is to brush them at least twice a day with a mild denture cleanser. Be sure to use a toothbrush designed specifically for dentures. That way, you know you're getting them as clean as they should be.

You'll also need to sanitize them at least once a day, preferably in the evening before you go to bed. Fill a bowl with water and add several tablespoons of vinegar. Soak your dentures for about 15 minutes, and then rinse well with fresh water. The vinegar solution will sanitize your dentures, and prevent infections that can lead to mouth sores and pain.

Change the Way You Eat

When you got your dentures, you probably knew that there were foods you'd no longer be able to eat, like corn on the cob. However, you might not have realized that you'd need to change the way you actually eat your food, including the way you chew. Taking large bites, or chewing too quickly, can cause your dentures to rub on your gums, which can lead to abrasions and sores. To avoid that, you should take smaller bites, and chew your food slowly.

Have Your Dentures Adjusted as Needed

If you've had your dentures for a while, they may not fit the way they once did. This can be caused by the shrinking of your gums, or the stretching of your dentures. Either way, if your dentures don't fit properly, they're going to cause sores on your gums, which can become quite painful. If you notice your dentures slipping when you speak or when you chew, you need to have them adjusted by a denturist via clinics such as Cape Dental Care.