Some Pointers to Adjust to Your New Dentures

If you are a dentures wearer, you know about the learning curve! And if you are planning to get dentures near you, we will provide the best tips for a comfortable adjustment.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are devices with false acrylic teeth over a base of pink acrylic that resembles the gums. You may replace an entire row of teeth with them (upper and lower).

However, you can also replace some dental pieces. When you are not missing all of them, you can acquire partial dentures in Kingsway. These replace the missing ones and retain onto the remaining through metal clasps. Of course, they have better retention.

What to Expect from the Procedure?

The first thing our dentist in Kingsway does is evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums. If you have periodontal disease, they address it before creating your dentures. Why? Because gum disease affects the retention of prosthetic devices.

If your gums and remaining teeth are okay (or gums in case of fully edentulous patients), your dentist will take a mold of your mouth for the dental laboratory. The doctor explains how they want the device, and a dental technician creates it in one or two weeks.

After this time, you can try them on at the dental office. They will evaluate the fitting and the necessary adjustments. Keep in mind complete dentures must fit snugly and they retain through suction.

What to Expect after Getting My Dentures?

Like we mentioned before, dentures have a learning curve. People feel weird once they get them because they are not used to this new device. What can you do? Keep reading:

1. Practice – they say practice makes perfection, and dentures apply to this rule. Speak out loud or sing for you to feel comfortable when talking to them. You can also read out loud.
2. Cut your food – at the beginning, eating will be uncomfortable. We suggest you cut your foods in small pieces when possible to chew them better.
3. Use sauces – when eating, we also suggest dipping your food in sauces to moist it and make it easier to chew. You can boil things to make them softer.
4. Drink water – when you wear dentures, your mouth gets dried and is very uncomfortable. Try staying hydrated to fight it. We recommend drinking at least two liters of water daily. It can also be another drink of your preference, but water is the best.
5. Take a break – you cannot use dentures 24/7 because they irritate your gums. Remove your dentures before bedtime for your tissues to rest; otherwise, they can inflame, and you will feel pain.
6. Brush your teeth – dental plaque buildup harms your gums and teeth. Brush every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Edentulous patients must brush their soft tissues (gums, tongue, and palate).
7. Clean your dentures – brush them with a different toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste or mild soap. Regular toothpaste is abrasive for them. Ensure you use lukewarm to cool water because hot water can bend them out of shape. When you remove them before bedtime, put them in a jar with a water or dentures cleaning agent. The important thing is keeping them moist.
8. Visit your dentist – you should schedule an appointment with a dentist near you every six months. They will monitor your oral health and devices and make any adjustments for your comfort. If your dentures are worn out, they will let you know and advise getting new ones (dentures are not forever, they last about five years).