Denture Wearer

Whether this is your first denture or your tenth, you will find that adjusting to your new denture will probably take some time. Everyone hears about a friend or relative who had absolutely no troubles at all with a new denture, never had it adjusted and can eat anything they want. If you ask any dentist, you will find that these people unfortunately are in the minority. The mouth and jaws adapt to old dentures, and even though they are ill-fitting and the mouth gets used to this, and doesn't like all the changes which new dentures bring.

     When you start to wear your new dentures, you are conscious of many things about your mouth, which you weren't before. It will take 2 to 3 days for the gums to adapt to the different pressures the new dentures place on them. After  2 to 3 days the dentures will start to feel as though they are "settling in", and retention and stability will increase. Using adhesives during this "break-in" period will make the dentures more comfortable, however use as little as possible during the first 2 to 3 days so the adhesives will not interfere with the denture adapting to the gums. If you are wearing a full lower denture, this of course is the most difficult to master. You may need to continue to use adhesives on a lower, especially if you have a severely restored ridge or poor muscle control of the tongue and cheeks.

    Your success in wearing your new dentures depends more upon you than upon any other factor. If you meet the challenge with determination, you will be surprised at the short time it will take you to achieve success. Following these helpful hints will ensure your success with your new dentures.

    PATIENCE - Learning to wear a denture takes time. Follow advice and don't become discouraged. Don't listen to friends who tell you how easy it was for them. Each case is different.

    LOWERS - A lower denture usually takes far longer to master than an upper denture. Your facial muscles and tongue are constantly moving the denture. Take your time and don't worry if your tongue feels strange or restricted. It will soon accustom itself to the new position.

    EATING - Don't take large bites at first. Cut all food into small portions. Attempt to chew evenly on both side to "balance" the denture. Do not bite into food directly with the front teeth - bite off to the side to help stabilize the denture. Slice very hard foods like apples and corn on the cob first to help preserve your natural ridge in front.

    SORE SPOTS - You may experience some sore spots with your new denture. Return to our office and we will gladly adjust your denture. There is a nominal charge per adjustment visit to help offset sterilization cost.

    SPEECH - If you have a tendency to slur your words, or your speech seems difficult, practice reading aloud or speaking in front of a mirror. Counting our loud will help the tongue retrain itself faster, especially the thirties, fifties, and sixties (for example thirty-one, thirty-two, etc.). It may take several weeks for your speech to return to normal.

    TISSUE CHANGE - Remember that your gum tissue changes daily; your denture does not. It is important to visit our office regularly for a denture checkup. Periodically, you may need a reline. An ill-fitting denture may be harmful to your health.

    CLEANING - An unclean denture is never healthful, attractive or comfortable. Your denture will form plaque and tartar just like natural teeth and needs to be cleaned daily just like natural teeth. We recommend PROTECH denture cleaning solution in a sonic denture bath, in addition to brushing with a denture toothbrush and paste. Be sure to keep water in the sink when brushing to avoid fracturing the denture if it should drop. It is healthier to remove your denture at night (keep them in water or a soaking solution), but if you feel more comfortable keeping the dentures in, we recommend using an oxygenating agent like OXYGEL to keep the gums healthy. NEVER use any household chemicals or cleaners such as Clorox on your dentures.

    ADHESIVES - For many years, dentist recommended against the long-term use of denture adhesives, and many still do. Their feeling is that with proper ridge form, muscle control and fit of the denture that a satisfactory result can be obtained without adhesive. This is true for many people, however several studies have shown that even people with all of these factors were more comfortable using a small amount of adhesive versus those who did not. This may not apply to your situation, however with lower dentures, poor gum control / ridge form, or poor muscle control, a distinct improvement will be realized by using a denture adhesive. Individual results vary with different brands, however some of the more popular brands include Super Wernet's Powder, Effergrip, Fixodnet, and Secure. For your convenience, our office carries some of these denture care products.