Dentures are a good replacement for your missing natural teeth. They enable you to smile again, as well as perform other functionalities of your natural teeth, such as chewing and talking.
While getting new dentures can be an exciting venture, many people may find it a little difficult to break into them, especially for the first couple of days. In some cases, speech, dry mouth, chewing, and even mouth infections can become an issue if you cannot get used to your new dentures properly.
Knowing what to expect can make you feel even more confident as you begin a new journey with a better smile. We have compiled a few denture tips and tricks to help you get started.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable false teeth that act as a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues lost due to tooth decay, injury, or other causes. They are made to fit snugly with the shape and size of the wearer’s jaws, enabling them to perform all the functions of their missing natural teeth.
You can either get partial or complete dentures. When you have many healthy natural teeth in your mouth, your dentist may recommend getting partial dentures. However, if there are very few or no natural teeth remaining, you may require complete dentures.
You can also get the newer, more popular hybrid denture, which has more benefits than traditional ones.
Why Do People Wear Dentures?
People with missing teeth or those whose natural teeth have fallen out have a straightforward reason to get dentures. However, this is not the only reason why you may need dentures. Here are a few other reasons why your dentist may recommend dentures as a possible solution for you:
- To improve your speech
- To boost your oral aesthetics
- To enhance your ability to eat and chew food
- To protect your remaining teeth from further damage
What To Expect From New Dentures?
The primary thing to expect from your new dentures is the new, beautiful smile that you will be rocking. You will feel more confident, and the excitement of beginning your new journey will definitely be there.
However, there are a few minor irritations and discomforts that you may expect once you wear your new dentures. Most of these side effects are often temporary and should slide with time, and you can get a better experience with a few new denture tips and tricks. Here are some of the things you should expect with your new dentures:
Increased saliva
Your mouth starts producing more saliva as soon as your new dentures are fitted. Your mouth automatically reacts to the foreign object, but with time, the salivary glands relax after getting used to the new dentures. This is only temporary and should not be cause for alarm. Dentists recommend drinking lots of water and swallowing to prevent saliva build-up.
Sore spots
As the dentures come into contact with the soft tissues in your mouth, you may develop some sore spots. These spots may become visible within only a few hours after installing the new dentures as they begin settling on your mouth.
In most cases, your dentist may book a follow-up appointment after the initial denture fitting to ensure that you do not have any harmful sores or just in case the spots could be a result of something else.
You may also need to understand denture information for caregivers to take care of a loved one with new dentures.
Minor discomfort
It is very normal to experience some minor discomfort or irritation in your mouth after fitting the new dentures. Although the exact amount of time this lasts varies from person to person, the experience is only temporary and doesn’t last long.
In case you had some teeth removed before fitting the dentures, you may experience some discomfort that lasts a little longer on the extraction site.
You will get denture tips and tricks from your dentist, who’ll guide you on some things you can do to minimize the discomfort, so you shouldn’t worry about having to endure any pain.
Difficulty in speech
You should not worry if you cannot utter or pronounce some words well when speaking soon after getting your new set of dentures. This is pretty common, and it may require some getting used to before you can clearly communicate.
Sometimes, you may feel like your new dentures tend to slip away when talking, coughing, or even laughing. Your dentist will give you some denture tips and tricks for first time denture wearers on how to alleviate this disconcerting feeling as you get used to your new dentures.
Although some dentures may not snugly fit into your mouth the first time, your dentist may recommend other techniques, such as a denture reline, to ensure a comfortable experience.
Denture Tips and Tricks To Overcome Difficulties
Here are some new denture tips and tricks to give you a more pleasant experience:
Talking naturally with new dentures
Most new denture users may find speaking challenging, especially when pronouncing sounds containing “f” and “s.” Experts recommend that you start by practicing speaking out loud or by reading out loud.
Practicing is one of the denture tips and tricks that allows the muscles in your tongue and mouth to get used to navigating the dentures in their new place. Some users state that biting down and consciously swallowing before speaking sets the dentures into the proper position allowing better speech.
Eating with new dentures
Eating with your new dentures can be quite a hassle during your first few days. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid chewy or hard foods and only stick to ones that are easy to chew without putting significant pressure on your dentures.
Experts also advise that you cut your food into smaller pieces before eating and always chew on both sides of your mouth to prevent your dentures from dislodging when eating.
Cleaning Dentures Properly
Your dentist will take you through all you need to know to enable you to take proper care of your new dentures. Like your natural teeth, dentures can also get stained and may develop tartar and other bacteria. Ensure to brush your dentures regularly with a dampened, soft-bristled toothbrush.
It is recommended that you soak your dentures daily in a non-abrasive denture cleaner to remove any plaque or bacteria.
As a rule of thumb, you ought to observe proper oral care, like you would with natural teeth.
Avoiding Mouth Dehydration
A dry mouth can affect dentures, especially if you’re not well-hydrated. It causes irritations of the mouth and gums, increasing the chances of bacterial decay. Always stay hydrated, taking the recommended amount of fluids (or simply water) daily. Check with your dentist if you take any medicine that may contribute to dry mouth.
Adapting Mouth to Dentures
Dental experts recommend taking at least a 6-hour break each day to allow the soft tissues in your mouth to heal from any irritation or soreness. You can sleep without your dentures to give your mouth a rest.
Taking this break enables you to adapt your dentures to your mouth seamlessly and in a more comfortable process. Ensure to follow your dentist’s guidelines on properly storing your dentures whenever you remove them.
FAQ
Although your dentist ensures that the new dentures are perfectly in place, you can also use denture adhesives in either a powder or paste form. You can apply this adhesive to the base of your dentures to help keep them in place.
There should not be a gap between your denture and the roof of your mouth. Any space between the two sacrifices the integrity of the suction, which works to keep your dentures in place. If you notice a gap, contact your dentist for advice.
It is much easier to wear and get used to your upper dentures than the lower ones. This is because the upper dentures have the entire upper palate available for suction, which extends to the back of the soft palate, creating a palatal seal. This gives the upper dentures more stability and retention. The lower dentures are less secure, and your tongue may feel cramped.
