You've just received your new dentures. whether you're
a seasoned veteran or a new denture wearer, we're sure there are many
questions which may need to be answered. We hope that the following information
will prove to be helpful during the next few weeks of your denture adjustment
period.
Learning to wear a new denture can take time.
Don't become discouraged if you find some difficulty in the beginning.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE! Please do not listen to friends who tell you
how easy it was for them to get used to their dentures and how they
can eat everything and anything. They are either bragging, have greater
bone and gum support or their memories may be poor.Your dentist will
help you through any difficulties you may face or any situations that
may arise during your adjustment period.
A lower denture usually takes more time to adjust
to than an upper denture. The tongue may feel restricted and will
tend to play, sometimes even subconsciously, with the new prosthesis.
It will soon adapt to the restrictions and to the new feeling that a
denture presents.
Try to eat only soft foods for the first couple of
days. Then, as you progress to more solid foods try to eat slowly and
deliberately, attempting to place even amounts of food on both sides
at the same time during the chewing cycle. By placing food on both
sides of the mouth at the same time, you balance the biting forces on
the new denture and will help to make it more stable. The longer
you take to eat your meal, the faster you will learn to master your
new prosthesis.
Try to take small bites at first. Cut all your food
into small portions. If, and when, your gum tissues are strong enough
to try foods which are bitten off (bread, corn on the cob, etc. ), try
to press the food against the back teeth on the upper in order to stabilize
the denture.
It is perfectly normal to experience some discomfort
associated with sore spots during the adjustment period. Nature did
not intend for us to wear hard plastic against soft gum tissue. It takes
a while for the gum tissues to firm up and to accommodate to the hard
plastic denture.
If sore spots should develop (and in some cases
they do not), please be sure to wear the denture for at least
24 hoursprior to your adjustment visit! If your
dentist can't see the sore spot visually, it is sometimes impossible
for him to make the necessary adjustments.
Reading aloud during the first couple of days will
go a long way in reducing any minor speech problems which may result
from wearing a new denture. If speech problems continue to persist,
please let your dentist know.
An unclean denture is neither healthy, attractive
or comfortable. Clean you new denture every morning and night with either
a denture toothbrush and denture toothpaste ( if necessary, any toothpaste
can be used ) or with one of the commercially available denture cleaners.
Please be sure to check with your dentist to make sure that the commercial
cleaner will not interfere with the type of denture liner you may have
in your prosthesis. Permanent soft liners and temporary
soft liners react poorly to most commercial cleaners.
We prefer that you leave out one or both of your
dentures at night. This allows your gum tissues to breathe and also
relieves them of the constant pressures of mastication. When left out
of the mouth, all dentures should be left in water to prevent warpage.
Gum tissues are in a constant state of change
but dentures are not. Therefore, periodic relining of your dentures
may be necessary. If you find your denture getting looser and mastication
more difficult, this may be a sign that a reline may be needed. It is
very important for your dentist to see you regularly to evaluate the
state of your oral tissues and to determine if additional treatment
is required. Dentures typically need to be relined or remade every 3-5
years.
NEVER try to adjust your dentures yourself
! Home remedies, although simple, will only lead to trouble.
If any problems arise or if you have any additional
questions, your dentist is available to help.
