Adapting To Your New Dentures

 In Knowledge Centre

If you have new dentures, you may not know what to expect and how long it will take to get used to them. After all, eating and speaking with dentures differs from your natural teeth.

Some people adapt to dentures within a few days, while others take longer. It takes time and patience, and usually a few denture adjustments to get things settled down.  Adjustments to new dentures is normal and don’t be surprised if you need a few.  Your denturist is conservative with adjustments and will take off a very small amount so that the fit is not compromised.

Eating

After extractions, your mouth must adapt to the new size and shape of your denture. At first, you’ll want to eat smaller bites and softer foods as your tongue, lips and cheeks learn to work with your new dentures.

After a few meals, you’ll find chewing easier. You can then move on to crunchier, harder foods. Of course, if you’ve tried to adapt and still experience problems, please book an appointment for an adjustment.

Speaking

Your speech may feel somewhat awkward at first, but your tongue will adapt to your dentures very quickly. Certain sounds may require more time to develop, your lips and tongue need a few weeks to master all sounds.  To speed up the process, talking or singing out loud will help.

Sleeping

The tissues in your mouth that hold your dentures must rest at night to restore blood flow. Wear your dentures as long as you can during the day so you get used to them, but remove them at night. Constant wear can trap bacteria under the denture and increase jaw bone loss and tooth wear if you clench your teeth while sleeping.  If you wear a partial denture, over time you may damage or loosen your natural teeth.  It’s best to let your tissues in your mouth rest overnight.  Remember to store your denture in water when you are not wearing them.

Cleaning

Clean your dentures twice a day and soak them daily. We recommend Denture Brite™ denture cleaner, available at most drugstores and some major supermarkets. Soak them for a minimum of 20 minutes, or overnight for stubborn stains or tartar build up.

After soaking, brush your dentures well using a denture brush and gentle, inexpensive liquid dish soap. It is a safe alternative to denture pastes. Do not use toothpaste, bleach, or boiling water.

Toothpaste will scratch the denture acrylic making it susceptible to increased staining and bacteria collection. Bleach is poisonous, it can burn the soft tissues in your mouth and can change the colour of your denture. Boiling water can warp your dentures.

If you have a soft lined denture, use toothpaste and brush aggressively. Brush your tongue and gums gently with a tooth brush and water, rinse your dentures well after cleaning.

Maintaining

You should visit your denturist annually for an examination. Annual checkups are the best way to keep your mouth healthy and to detect any potential problems.

It’s also the best way to ensure your dentures last as long as possible and look their best.

We recommend a reline to your dentures every 2 to 3 years.  You can expect to replace your dentures every 5 to 7 years, depending on wear and the changes to your bite.

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Please book an appointment if you need adjustments.  Remember that every mouth is different and it’s normal to have your dentures adjusted several times before they settle in.  You should also expect it will take time to adapt to eating and speaking with your new dentures. We want you to have a smooth, worry-free transition to dentures, so please contact us with your questions or concerns. We’re here to help.

Live your best life and let us perfect your smile.

Brookswood Denture Clinic – Denture & Implant Solutions

www.yourdenture.com

 

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