You may have heard the horror stories about someone’s ill-fitting dentures popping right out of their mouth. While many people think that dentures are uncomfortable and embarrassing, technology has come a long way to make dentures much more comfortable for patients. There are also quite a few things that you can do to help make your dentures fit better and lead a happy, normal life.
What to Expect When You First Wear Dentures
Gagging, slurred speech, and producing excess saliva are all common experiences when you first wear dentures. It is unpleasant at first, but you will get more used to the feeling of putting them in and taking them out. Try wearing your dentures for just a couple hours at a time and slowly increase the time that you wear them every day. Remember, it generally takes about two months to fully get used to wearing dentures.
Exercise Your Mouth
Exercising your cheeks by holding a big smile for ten seconds at a time can help build up your face muscles and make wearing dentures less uncomfortable to wear. You will also be able to eat more easily with stronger cheek muscles. This is an especially great activity to do in the weeks leading up to your tooth extraction and denture fitting.
Eating with Dentures
Take your time when it comes to eating with dentures. You should eat soft foods and chew carefully to start and slowly incorporate harder foods into your diet after a couple of weeks as you feel more comfortable.
Find the Right Adhesive
Adhesives are a great way to keep your dentures in place. Be open to trying different denture creams and adhesives in order to find your optimal fit. It is important to note, however, that adhesive should not be a replacement for ill-fitting dentures.
Be Patient
Dentures will always feel a little uncomfortable at first, as they will suddenly give you a very full feeling in your mouth and cheeks. If you do develop sore spots on your gums, try rinsing your gums with warm salt water for a few days until the soreness goes away. If the pain and discomfort continues, call your dentist right away.
At Peak Dentistry, our team is happy to walk you through the denture procedures. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!
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