Nearly 43 million Americans wear dentures. While dentures have always been a top choice for replacing missing teeth, today’s lightweight materials and state-of-the-art design technology make them more popular than ever.
Despite those advances, wearing dentures can feel a little odd at first, and activities like eating and speaking can suddenly feel unfamiliar. The good news is with just a little practice, you’ll adjust to your new dentures faster than you can imagine.
At Park Place Smiles, Minal Patel, DDS, helps patients restore their beautiful smiles with custom dentures designed for comfort and longevity. Here, Dr. Patel offers simple tips to help you adjust to your new dentures as quickly as possible.
Dentures can feel a little odd when you first get them, and it can take some time to get used to how they feel against your gums. Many people worry that when they speak, their words will sound odd.
One of the best ways to get comfortable with speaking is to read out loud and often. Books, magazines, blog posts, cereal boxes — it doesn’t matter what you read. Reading out loud helps you hear yourself and get used to the way your dentures feel, so you can speak confidently in front of others.
If you have a mirror handy, try reading aloud or simply speaking in front of the mirror while you watch yourself speak. Seeing how “normal” you look can go a long way toward helping you feel more comfortable and confident when you’re out and about.
You might think wearing your dentures 24/7 will help you get used to them more quickly — but that’s not the case. Instead, you should wear them exactly as directed. Sticking to your prescribed schedule helps you adjust while avoiding potential problems. If you have questions or concerns, call our office. We can help.
Dentures are designed to fit snugly and hug the contours of your gums. Still, it can be difficult to feel completely confident in your fit when you first get your dentures.
To avoid the feeling that your dentures will “come loose” in public, it’s perfectly OK to use a little adhesive. Use it sparingly and remove all traces when you brush your dentures (and gums) before bed.
Next to speaking, eating is probably the second biggest concern for new denture-wearers. Here, variety is the key to feeling comfortable. Try eating different foods — salads, sandwiches, soups — to see how your dentures respond (and how they feel on your gums). Practicing in the comfort of your own home helps you adjust more quickly and feel more relaxed when eating at restaurants or other public spaces.
Dentures are easy to care for, but as with any new routine, it can take a little practice to keep them clean and fresh. Rinse them after eating, and brush them before bed using a soft brush and a nonabrasive toothpaste. Soak them overnight in a little diluted mouthwash or a special denture soaking agent to freshen them and keep germs at bay.
Learning anything new takes time, and wearing dentures is no different. It’s natural for dentures to feel “odd” or “too large” at first but remember: Millions of people wear dentures, speaking and eating with them every day. Be patient, and before you know it, your denture routine will become second nature.
While it’s normal for dentures to feel a little unusual at first, it’s definitely not normal for dentures to cause pain. If your dentures pinch or cause sore spots, or if they feel loose or they’re slipping, call the office right away and ask about scheduling an adjustment.
Don’t let missing teeth take a toll on your oral health or your confidence. To learn how dentures can help, book an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Park Place Smiles in Glendora, California, today.
