05 Jun 6 Tips for Getting Used to Your New Dentures
Dentures can help restore your confidence after losing teeth. But it takes some time to adapt to wearing dentures, especially when it comes to eating and speaking. Luckily, knowing what to expect and having a little patience can help make the adjustment period go more smoothly. Here are some tips that will help you adjust to your new dentures in no time.
Six Tips for Getting Used to Dentures
1: Start with Soft Foods
When you first start wearing dentures, it’s normal for your mouth to feel a little tender. Eating soft foods for the first few days can help make the adjustment more comfortable. Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, soups, and cooked vegetables are all gentle on your gums.
When you transition back to solid foods, it helps to cut whatever you’re eating into small, bite-sized pieces. Small bites put less pressure on your dentures, and make it easier to chew.
2: Avoid Certain Foods
You’ll need to use your best judgment to avoid foods that could potentially harm your dentures. Eating hard foods like nuts and unpopped popcorn can damage or dislodge your dentures, so it’s best to avoid them entirely.
You should also be careful with sticky foods like peanut butter, because they can get stuck on your dentures or underneath them. You don’t have to avoid sticky foods altogether, but it’s essential that you clean your dentures (and your mouth) immediately afterward to prevent irritation and infections.
3: Exercise Your Facial Muscles
Another way you can get used to eating with your dentures is to exercise your facial muscles. For instance, try holding a wide smile for at least 10 seconds several times each day. Building up your muscles will also help relieve cheek pain.
4: Read Out Loud to Practice Speaking
Eating isn’t the only thing that feels different with dentures. It may also feel strange to speak at first, and it’s normal to have a lisp while your mouth adjusts. Taking a little time each day to read out loud will help speaking feel more comfortable and make the lisp go away faster.
5: Soothe Soreness with Warm Salt Water
A little soreness is to be expected when you’re first adjusting to your new dentures. A warm salt water rinse helps relieve both pain and inflammation. Remove your dentures, mix one teaspoon of salt with 8 oz of warm water, swish for thirty seconds, then spit.
Over time, your dentures should no longer hurt and be comfortable to wear. However, if your pain persists after a few weeks, or you notice a sore developing in a specific spot, please don’t hesitate to contact us. These are signs that your dentures are not fitting properly, and they will need to be adjusted.
6: Attend Follow-Up Appointments
These appointments are crucial during the adjustment period. We use them to determine whether your dentures are fitting properly, and make adjustments as needed. Follow-up appointments are also the perfect opportunity to discuss any concerns you have or any discomfort you’re experiencing.
How Long Does It Take to Get Used to New Dentures?
In most cases, it takes about 30 days for full dentures to start feeling comfortable. Partial dentures often take less time. Just make sure to be patient with yourself throughout the process.
It takes considerable time and practice to get used to the way dentures feel, and to start eating and speaking comfortably with them. Soreness, excess salivation, tight cheek muscles, difficulty chewing, and awkwardness when talking are all perfectly normal during the adjustment period.
Full and Partial Dentures in Sun Lakes, Arizona
If you want to replace your missing teeth with dentures, Dr. Saba and Associates can help. We offer durable, custom-fit removable dentures that look like natural teeth, and can replace old, ill-fitting dentures as well. Give us a call at 480-895-2111 today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/5/2023). Photo by Luis Machado on Unsplash