How to Adjust to Your New Dentures

How to Adjust to Your New Dentures
September 22, 2020  | IN UNCATEGORIZED

For dental patients who have experienced the stress of extreme tooth decay or tooth loss,

the implantation of dentures can have an overwhelmingly positive effect on self-confidence and satisfaction with

their smile. Though dentures can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth and return any lost functionality,

they can also take some getting used to.

Your recovery period after denture implantation generally depends on what type of dentures you received. The three common types of

dentures are:

  • Full, removable dentures. These dentures are best

    for dental patients who need full-mouth restoration but may not have the jawbone density required for dental

    implantation. These are usually secured using adhesives or a plastic plate-like fixture that sticks to the

    upper palate of the mouth using suction.

  • Implanted dentures. Those with the jawbone health

    to support dental implants will sometimes opt for these dentures. They snap firmly into place with

    bar-retained or ball-retained structures to provide incredible stability.

  • Partial dentures. Partial dentures can be either

    fixed or removable and are often used when only a few teeth need replacing.

type of dentures you’ve had implanted, you will experience a period of

adjustment with varying levels of discomfort and newness. This especially depends on whether or not you’ve spent any

period of time without teeth before receiving your dentures.

What can I do to better adjust to my dentures?

  1. Expect some discomfort. In the initial days and weeks with your dentures,

    you may experience some feelings of looseness, soreness in your gums, more saliva than usual, and even

    self-consciousness about what your dentures look like. All of these feelings are completely normal, so

    remember to trust the process and be patient. If you want your dentures to become comfortable, you’ll have

    to work through all of the discomfort of the adjustment period.

  2. Eat soft foods at first. As your dentures are adapting to the shape of

    your mouth and gums, the last thing you want to do is irritate your sensitive mouth by eating excessively

    hard or crunchy foods. Incorporate foods like pudding, mashed potatoes, soft fruits, and ice cream into your

    diet as you adjust to your dentures, and gently introduce more solid foods over time as you become more

    comfortable.

  3. Give your mouth a break. Most dentists recommend that those with removable

    dentures take them out every few hours during the first week or so of denture wear. Your jaw, gums, and

    cheeks will be adjusting to a new foreign object, and these little breaks will allow them to rest,

    preventing inflammation. Additionally, you will most likely be advised to remove your dentures before going

    to sleep each night. This will also give your mouth a much-needed break, especially during the initial

    adjustment phase.

  4. Sing your speech. Though it may seem silly, speech therapists recommend

    delivering speech in a sing-song manner in the first few days of denture wear to help the cheeks and tongue

    adjust to their new normal. Reading out loud is another useful technique to help improve your overall

    comfort level with your new dentures.