Any major change in life can take your tranquil existence and turn it upside down. Tooth loss (especially if unexpected as in the case of a traumatic event) can be classified as one of those changes that require treatment, patience, and adjustment. Dentures provide a wonderful option to resolve tooth loss; there are things you need to know to make the transition from biological teeth to a dental prosthesis a smooth adjustment.
Before acquiring your dentures, you were able to brush all your teeth at once … now you need to brush your teeth, gums, tongue, and palate before inserting your dentures. You should brush the gum tissue that resides beneath your denture to keep it clean; the brushing action will stimulate the gums to keep them as healthy as possible.
You should clean your dentures separately with a brush and paste designed for that purpose. Or you might consider a denture soak used overnight to keep them clean and odor free. You should never use regular toothpaste to brush your denture as it can contain abrasive materials that will scratch denture surfaces leaving them exposed to bacteria. Even plain soap and water is an acceptable way to clean dentures.
When you first get your denture you will probably realize you need to make some changes in the foods you eat; you should start out eating soft and manageable foods eventually graduating to more challenging foods cutting bites into small pieces. Take your time; don’t beat yourself up because you might not have adjusted to your new denture in a few days.
Speaking might be a little challenging at first. Very often there is additional saliva excreted due to your new denture – this is normal. Practice speaking in front of a mirror if you are struggling with certain sound pronunciations.
Adjustments are anticipated by your dentist … you are not a “problem patient”. If you feel discomfort or something isn’t right, get it checked out. Never attempt to make adjustments on your own. You might make the problem worse when a small tweak could have resolved the issue.
In no time you will have adjusted to eating and speaking with your new dentures. And just as important, you will enjoy smiling brightly with your new beautiful dental restoration – with proper care, it will last for many years.
To learn more about dentures or to schedule a professional consultation, contact Richardson Dentistry at (972) 218-0078.
