How To Get Used To Wearing Dentures
Dentures are a great way to replace missing teeth. You can get these as full dentures, which act as a substitute for your entire smile, or just partial dentures, which are applied only to the two or three missing teeth you have. Your conventional dentures will typically take a couple of weeks to produce but we also offer immediate dentures that will be ready for placement just after your tooth is extracted (provided extraction is necessary). Dentures are usually the prosthetic of choice for patients who are looking for an affordable, reliable solution to missing teeth.
If taken care of well, properly cleaned each day and kept in hygienic conditions, your dentures can last a very long time. But, your dentures are made out of porcelain material that can also take some getting used to. At Purity Dental, our aim is to help our patients smile with confidence, so here’s a little guide we’ve put together to help you adjust to your dentures well and get comfortable with this prosthetic.
Dietary limits
Your dentures may be made out of sturdy material but it will still take some time for you to get around to eating hard foods like nuts, crackers etc. We recommend sticking to a diet with softer foods that are easier to chew while your dentures are still brand new. We also suggest avoiding any sweet or sticky foods like candy because these can get stuck to your prosthetic teeth and will be very hard to remove. This could eventually lead to the permanent damage of your dentures. Once you become more comfortable with your dentures you can slowly begin to eat hard foods and resume your normal diet. This can take up to a few weeks, however, so don’t rush into the process.
Denture adhesive
When you get your new dentures, there might be an initial adjusting period for them to completely fit and stay in your mouth. You can utilize denture adhesives in order to make sure that your dentures stick to your gums without a problem. This will also help you get more accustomed to wearing your new teeth. Once you become used to it, putting your dentures on daily will become more comfortable, less irritating and you also won’t need denture adhesives anymore. Bear in mind though, that if your dentures become too lose with time, this means that your facial structure has changed slightly and the dentures will either need to be relined or replaced- find out which by scheduling a quick consultation with one of our dental professionals.
Remove them regularly
Your new dentures will initially cause some irritation. This is quite natural and no cause to worry. If tooth extraction was also performed, your gums will need some additional time to heal. If you experience any irritation, or you notice your gums have become slightly sore and sensitive, simply remove your dentures for a few hours each day to help move the healing progress along. When wearing new dentures, we recommend removing them for at least 6 hours each day. As they adjust, you may begin wearing them for longer and longer periods of time.
Regular dental visits
While feeling itchiness and slight irritation is normal and, at times, expected, if this feeling still persists after a few days, you’ll need to schedule a follow-up appointment as soon as possible. If you experience any other issues like bleeding or loose-fitting dentures, you should definitely talk to our dentist so we can assess if your prosthetic teeth are functioning as they should be.
Maintain your dentures
In order to ensure your dentures last and function well, you need to consistently maintain them. Dentures that are taken care of well enough can last up to a decade! Remove your dentures when it’s time for cleaning and gently brush them with a soft bristled toothbrush and denture-cleaning solution. Each night, before sleeping, place your dentures in denture-cleaning solution. Rinse them off before wearing them the next morning. This will ensure that any food particles are removed and your gums a given a break as well.
Exercise your cheeks
There are muscles present on the insides of your cheek that help facilitate the movement of chewing food. You can train these muscles to chew better and by doing so, help your dentures with additional support and to better adjust to your mouth. You can start strengthening them by simultaneously chewing your food on both the left and right side of your mouth, instead of just one side. Make sure you eat your food in small pieces, however, to avoid damaging your new, prosthetic teeth.
Practice reading aloud
New dentures may hinder your speech while you take the time to get used to them. This is a common problem but in order to get past it, we recommend reading or talking aloud frequently. This will help you get used to the prosthetic and also improve your flexibility. Make sure you also drink plenty of water to enhance saliva product and provide lubrication to your dentures.
Getting used to your new teeth can take some time but we can help you through it at Purity Dental to make sure you have a smile that lasts you for several years to come!