How to get used to dentures?

What to expect with new dentures

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

No matter who your dentist or prosthodontist is and how well the dentures were made, there are a few things that you can expect to experience with new false teeth. These common denture issues are all things that are manageable and will be fixed quickly, but you should be prepared for an adjustment period. If they do not go away for a long period, you may have to consider reline or professional denture repair near you.

Sore spots

Sore spots are the biggest complaint with new denture wearers. While impressions were taken of your gums in order to get the best fit, they may need to be adjusted to be more comfortable. This is especially true if you have immediate dentures, meaning the dentures were placed right after your teeth were extracted. After removing teeth, the bone can remodel for several months, which will change the way your denture fits and create new sore spots.

Do not try to adjust sore spots yourself. It may seem like a simple fix if you have some tools at your disposal, but making changes to your denture yourself will void any warranty your dentist gives you. If you have a sore spot, simply make an appointment to the specialist. You can expect to need several visits within the first two weeks of having a new denture.

Discomfort

Other than the sore spots, you could have some discomfort associated with a new denture. Again, if you recently had teeth extracted, you can expect the normal pain that follows tooth removal. The discomfort should subside after a couple of days and should be completely gone within one or two weeks.

Dentures dislodging

Using dentures takes practice. At first, your dentures might become dislodged when you try to eat and speak. You'll learn to use your dentures in a way that keeps them in place. Another great remedy is to use denture adhesive. Over-the-counter denture adhesives are often used on the mandibular (lower) dentures since they don't have the advantage of suction to keep them in place, unlike the upper dentures do.

Increased saliva

Anytime you introduce something new to the mouth, there is an increase in saliva flow. The same is true when someone gets braces or clear aligners for orthodontia treatment. Your brain actually thinks you have food in your mouth, and it triggers the stimulation of your salivary glands. The increase in saliva should only last for a couple of days.

Change in pronunciation

It's common to have trouble saying certain words when you get new dentures. They can feel somewhat bulky and cause you to have a hard time with pronunciation. A lisp is not uncommon to hear. Like everything else, you will quickly get accustomed to a new way of speaking and your speech will return to normal within a short period of time.

Difficulty in eating

There is a trick to eating with dentures. When we use our natural teeth, we often put food to one side or the other. With dentures, you need to place food evenly on both sides. This keeps the denture from getting dislodged. Also, you may have difficulty biting into foods like sandwiches and apples. It's best to cut up food and place it in the back of your mouth, instead of trying to use the front teeth.

Tips for adjusting to new dentures

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

If you want to get used to your new dentures as quickly as possible, follow these tips.

• Eat softer foods until all your sore spots have gone away. Avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods.

• Perform proper oral care and denture care. Rinse and brush your dentures every day and place them in a glass of water overnight. You can also use a denture cleanser to help keep them clean.

• Do not wear your dentures at night while sleeping.

• Use denture pads to help with sore spots.

• Wear your dentures as much as possible. This will help you get used to them quickly.

• Do not adjust dentures yourself. Always ask a dental professional to adjust them.

• Practice speaking with your dentures. Read aloud from a book or magazine, or sing along to your favorite song.