5 Tips for First-Time Denture Wearers
Dentures replace missing teeth so you can eat, smile, and talk with confidence. But it does take some time to get used to wearing dentures. During your appointment, our dentists will discuss what you can expect and how you can make this process as smooth as possible.
Here are our tips that will help you get used to wearing dentures.
1. READ YOUR FAVORITE BOOK OUT LOUD
The more you speak with your new dentures, the sooner you’ll get used to speaking with your oral appliance. It takes time for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to get used to speaking around dentures.
While you’re making this transition, try reading from your favorite book and keeping a running list of words that give you trouble so you can practice them later.
2. REST YOUR GUMS
Are you resting your gums at night? Since your gums support your dentures, it’s important to rest them between 6 and 8 hours a day. Your gums were never meant to support an oral appliance 24/7 so giving them a break will help keep them pink and healthy.
The only exception to resting your gums would be in the first 24 hours of wearing immediate dentures. In the case of immediate dentures, you’ll need to wear your dentures for the first night. This is because your dentures are acting as a bandage over the extraction site. Once the 24 hours have passed, however, you’ll need to take out your dentures at night so you’re resting your gums.
3. AVOID DRY DENTURES AND DRY MOUTH
It’s vital that you don’t let your dentures dry out. Otherwise, they could warp and crack. Whenever your dentures aren’t in your mouth, they should be submerged in a glass of warm (not hot) water or denture cleaner.
While wearing dentures, make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. It’s not uncommon for patients with dentures to experience dry mouth every now and then. Drinking at least 8 ounces of fluid every day will help your body replenish the saliva in your mouth. Also, keep in mind that certain medications can increase your risk of dry mouth.
Drinking plenty of water helps reduce your risk of gum irritation and cavities.
4. PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE
After tooth loss, it’s especially important that you . This means brushing your gums, tongue, cheeks, and any remaining teeth twice a day. You should also floss between any natural teeth once a day.
Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. Although plaque is invisible, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t harm your oral health.
When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria eat the particles left behind and produce an acid that erodes your enamel and attacks your gums.
Dental plaque can grow on your dentures as well. This is why it’s important that you brush your dentures twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. This will not only remove plaque, but help you avoid bad breath.
Place a towel underneath your dentures when you handle them. This will protect your dentures if they accidentally slip from your fingers. That way, they won’t chip on the bathroom counter, sink, or tile floor if they get dropped.
Continue seeing our dentists at least every 6 months for preventive dental care. During your teeth cleaning appointment, we’ll buildup. We’ll also examine your dentures to ensure they’re still in good condition.
5. BE MINDFUL OF THE FOODS YOU EAT
The more you chew, the more your dentures will rub against your gums and potentially cause irritation. That’s why we recommend avoiding foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew, such as caramel.
It’ll take some time for you to get used to eating with your new dentures, which is to be expected. But there are several things you can do to make the adjustment easier. For example, you can cut your food into small pieces that will be more manageable for your dentures. You may also try adding gravies or a pat of butter to help soften your foods.
While eating, make sure you chew evenly on both sides of your dentures. This will help your dentures stay in place while you enjoy your meal.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Dr. Richard Neuman and Dr. Alexis Neuman have experience treating patients of all ages and would be more than happy to help you restore your smile. To schedule an appointment with one of our dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183. We hope we hear from you soon!
This blog post has been updated.
