More than 40 million Americans wear dentures to replace teeth lost to decay, trauma, or other causes. Dentures restore your smile, improve your oral health, and maintain normal functions, like eating and speaking, while also helping you feel more confident.
But like anything new, wearing dentures and getting used to the way they feel does take some practice. In this post, Minal Patel, DDS, offers four super-simple tips to help her patients at Park Place Smiles adjust to their new dentures as quickly as possible.
Before dentures, few of us give much thought to the mechanics of eating. Biting and chewing are activities we all tend to take for granted. If you’ve never worn a denture, there’s a good chance that eating meals is going to take some getting used to.
You might feel a little uncoordinated initially, and the gentle pressure of your dentures on your gums as you bite and chew can feel odd. But like any other activity, the more you do it, the easier it becomes — and eating with dentures is no different.
Before sharing meals with friends or going out to eat at a restaurant, spend some time eating a variety of foods at home, including crunchy and chewy foods and even soups and ice cream. Not only will you quickly adjust to eating with dentures, but you’ll have a chance to assess the way your dentures fit and decide if you feel more comfortable using an adhesive for a little extra grip.
Chatting with family and friends is one of the pleasures of life, but if you’re new to dentures, suddenly something that once felt so natural can fill you with anxiety. Like eating, talking improves with practice, and talking to yourself is a great way to do it.
Not sure what to talk about? Try reading aloud. Some people find tongue-twisters to be especially helpful in adjusting to esses and other sounds that may prove problematic at first, But any reading material, including books, magazines, and the labels on food products, all provide an opportunity to improve your speech and feel more comfortable talking out loud.
After years of having your own teeth, it’s not uncommon to feel like your dentures are overly large or obvious. As a result, many people feel less confident interacting with others and engaging in enjoyable social activities.
Observing yourself in a mirror is a good way to overcome those feelings by helping you see — literally — how natural your dentures actually appear to others. Using a mirror when eating, talking, and simply smiling, and viewing yourself from different angles help you regain your confidence and feel more relaxed about denture wear overall.
Many people think they can’t chew gum with dentures, but that’s just not true. In fact, chewing gum during your denture adjustment period can be very beneficial.
Not only does chewing help you get used to the way your dentures feel on your gums, but it also helps you adjust to the way your dentures feel when your jaws move. Plus, chewing helps your jaw and facial muscles adjust more quickly for greater comfort in those early days of denture wear.
One more important step in adjusting to your new dentures is to follow your treatment plan. Dr. Patel lets you know how long to wear your dentures initially and what signs might indicate you need to come in for an adjustment. By following these steps closely, you’ll feel more comfortable and at ease in no time.
To learn more about dentures or to schedule an exam or checkup at our Glendora, California, office, call 626-226-1802 or book an appointment online with Park Place Smiles today.
