It’s not uncommon to go through a sort of “adjustment period” when there’s a new oral appliance in your mouth. For denture wearers, the first 30 days can be particularly challenging. Fortunately, if this is you (or about to be you), there are plenty of patients who have gone through the same experience, which means there are plenty of helpful tips! Keep reading so you can transition to your new smile like a pro.
When to Wear and NOT Wear Your Dentures
Your dentist will likely recommend wearing your dentures for 24 hours straight after your initial appointment. While this will help prevent your gums from becoming irritated or harmed, after that 24 hours, your routine should look different. Continue to wear your dentures during the day, but remember to take them out at night. Going forward, this will give your gums a chance to breathe and circulate so they can remain happy and healthy.
Making Meals More Manageable
Since you’re probably not used to eating with teeth that aren’t rooted to your jawbone, you might find it difficult to enjoy certain foods.
The best way to get used to how your dentures sit in your mouth while you chew is to start a soft-food diet. Pancakes, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and the like don’t require as much strength, so it will be a lot easier to focus on how your dentures are moving in your mouth. As you get more and more used to the feeling, you can start introducing tougher and tougher foods until you’re confident in your eating ability.
Overcoming Denture Lisp
Another activity that relies on your teeth and oral function is speaking. Your smile will likely feel like a different shape or perhaps seem to be a bit bulkier. Because of this, some patients have trouble enunciating and talk with a slight lisp.
As with many situations in life, practice is the best remedy! Don’t shy away from conversations with loved ones, set aside time to talk or read out loud to yourself, and consider recording yourself as you monologue. Sometimes playing back your own speech is helpful for understanding what you need to adjust.
Conclusion
Getting used to your new dentures for the first 30 days can be tricky, but not impossible! Use these tips to promote a quick and smooth adjustment period, and remember that there could be more useful advice out there that’s not listed in this post. If you find yourself needing a different approach, don’t hesitate to surf the internet or talk to your dentist for more recommendations.
About the Practice
Our team at Complete Dental Care in Kent is full of compassionate care providers and skilled dental professionals. They understand that wearing dentures for the first time can be difficult or even daunting, and will eagerly share advice for getting adjusted more smoothly and quickly. To contact our office with questions or concerns, call 253-854-2714.