Clinical features:
(1) erythema beneath a denture, typically the upper
(2) may be associated angular stomatitis
Risk factors:
(1) wearing the dentures for long periods, including overnight
(2) poor oral hygiene
(3) poor denture care (poorly cleaned dentures)
(4) xerostomia
(5) high carbohydrate diet
(6) poorly fitting dentures, causing recurrent trauma
(7) allergy to the denture or denture adhesives
(8) diabetes mellitus
(9) immunodeficiency (corticosteroids, HIV, chemotherapy, transplant, etc)
(10) oral radiation
The diagnosis can be confirmed by a fungal culture of the dentures.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) malnutrition with vitamin deficiencies
(2) smoking-related discomfort
