Dentures are a wonderful solution for many patients that have undergone tooth loss. Any time you introduce something new into your lifestyle, there is an adjustment period. Dentures are no different.
You may have to make adjustments to what you eat at first … what you can eat and how will become evident over time. Practicing at home will make you more confident when eating out with others.
Speaking may become a little challenging. Dentures do feel different … some patients are faced with an increased level of saliva production and have to manage that. Word sounds might require repetition to avoid mispronunciation. Practicing in front of a mirror or even singing in the shower will help to adjust to your new dentures.
Laughing with your new denture may feel odd at first. You may be concerned about teeth slippage … these fears will dissipate when you realize a well-fitting denture is secure.
Your dentist may recommend wearing your new denture 24/7 for the first few days, but you will normally remove it at night. When not being worn, it is best to maintain your denture by placing it in the appropriate container to keep it moist.
Never boil or microwave your denture to “clean” or “sanitize” it. This may result in warping. There are rinses you can soak your denture in … if you wish to use a brush and denture cleaner, make sure you use the ones designated specifically for dentures. A regular toothbrush and toothpaste are too harsh and can scratch the finish on your dentures.
Take care not to drop your denture … work with it over a towel or soft area so if dropped it will not break or chip the porcelain.
If you have worn your denture for several days and it still does not feel quite right, return to your dentist for an adjustment. Never try to make adjustments on your own.
Dentures are designed to be worn for many years. However, over time you may experience gum shrinkage making your denture fit differently. If this should occur, a reline can be done to try to make it fit more securely like it did when it was new.
Patients new to wearing dentures might become frustrated and impatient, but if you stick with it over time it will begin to feel more natural. Our team is ready to help you with more information on dentures, socontact us at Richardson Dentistry today!
