How to Successfully Acclimate to Wearing Dentures

Becoming educated about wearing dentures may be as important as wearing them. A big factor in determining whether a patient has a good or poor denture experience is their level of expectation. Patients who expect their dentures to be just like their natural teeth will most likely never be satisfied. Patients who understand what to expect from and how to best function with their denture have the best chance of being comfortable. Our team in Altamonte Springs, FL, will be here throughout the process to make adjustments and assure the dentures fit properly.

The First Few Days:

• Wearing dentures is a skill. It must be learned just like any other skill. It will be difficult at first. Your level of adaptability and attitude will play a large role.
• You should eat a soft diet for the first few days. You should select foods that you can cut and place into the back of your mouth. Once you are chewing, you should learn to chew on both sides at once. Two-sided chewing will help stabilize the dentures. This is very important. We want to adjust irritations before they develop into larger painful ulcers.
• Excess saliva and gagging are problems that should subside after the first week.
• Your lower denture will probably be harder to adjust to than your upper denture. This is due to many factors: your lower jaw moving, your tongue moving, your lower jawbone being smaller, the lack of a good suction seal. As stated before, wearing this denture is a skill. Initially, chewing will be difficult and your speech will sound funny. You will learn to manage these problems better. Dental implants can significantly improve the comfort and function of a denture.
• Good nutrition and/or multivitamins will improve your ability to successfully wear your dentures.
   

Mouth and Denture Care:

• Dentures should be removed overnight, if possible. This rest period is essential for long-term health of the gums and underlying bone.
• You should have two toothbrushes: one denture brush for the denture and one soft toothbrush for the gums and tongue. Never use toothpaste on dentures. It is too abrasive and will damage the plastic. Use soft soap or water. Soaking dentures is not a substitute for brushing.
• Dentures that are out of your mouth should be stored in clean water. This will prevent warpage that can occur when the plastic dries out.

Future Denture Care:

• After teeth are removed, the jawbone will slowly shrink away. Significant changes usually occur within six to ten years. Wearing dentures actually accelerates this process. Wearing poorly fitting dentures will accelerate it even more. Poorly fitting dentures do not always hurt. Dental implants can help stop this shrinkage.
• If you had teeth removed at the same time you received your denture, your gums will change greatly in the first six months. After six to nine months a reline processed by the laboratory will be necessary.