Denture-related stomatitis (also termed
denture sore mouth,
denture stomatitis,
chronic atrophic candidiasis,
Candida-associated denture induced stomatitis, and
denture-associated erythematous stomatitis) is a common condition where mild inflammation and redness of the oral
mucous membrane occurs beneath a
denture. In about 90% of cases,
Candida species are involved. This is normally a harmless component of the oral
microbiota in many people. Denture-related stomatitis is the most common form of
oral candidiasis (a yeast infection of the mouth). It is more common in elderly people, and in those who wear a complete upper denture (a denture which replaces all the upper teeth, worn by someone with no natural teeth in their upper jaw). Denture-related stomatitis is more likely to develop when the denture is left constantly in the mouth, rather than removing it during sleep, and when the denture is not cleaned regularly.