People get dentures for a variety of reasons. Tooth decay and injury are common scenarios where someone might need dentures; others may be trying to correct a cosmetic issue. Whatever the case, those who have missing teeth often have to deal with insecurity and discomfort, and dentures provide an affordable solution.
The decision to replace missing teeth with dentures likely wasn’t a small one, and getting used to your new dentures will take time. It’s only natural to want to get back to the activities you could enjoy before, but adjusting to dentures is a steep learning curve. The good news is that there are ways to make the transition go a little smoother and make getting used to your new teeth a little faster.
Looking for a “Denture clinic near me?” Read this first: How to Choose the Right Dental Clinic in Surrey
Be Prepared for Some Discomfort
Unfortunately, no amount of preparation will be able to eliminate all discomfort or pain while you adjust to your new dentures. During the first month, your gums will be getting used to having the denture appliance resting on top, rather than embedded in, the gums.
It’s also possible that your gums and jawbone will still be healing – and changing – following tooth extraction. This might necessitate a few adjustments to ensure the best fit. All the more reason to choose the right denture clinic near me!
Exercise Your Muscles
Don’t worry, you won’t need to embark on a new workout regime, but exercising your facial muscles can make learning to speak and chew with your new dentures easier. Exercising your cheeks is as simple as holding an exaggerated smile for 10 to 15 seconds a few times per day. Start exercising a few weeks before getting your dentures and continue for a few weeks after.
Choose Easy to Chew Foods
Aggressive chewing should always be avoided with dentures, but especially during the first few weeks. While you might be anxious to get back to the foods you love, it’s best to limit your diet to soft, easier-to-chew meal options like noodles, eggs, mashed potatoes, and hearty soups.
Initially, you may also want to consume your meals at home. It can take some time to get used to eating with your dentures, without them slipping.
Take Tiny Bites
Once you are ready to move on from soft foods, keep bite sizes small and manageable. The more aggressively you chew, the more difficult it is to keep your dentures in place and avoid chafing. But don’t worry, once you get the hang of it, it will feel like second nature.
For more on eating with dentures, check out: 4 Helpful Tips When Eating with Dentures.
Avoid Biting with Your Front Teeth
Biting into food with your front teeth can cause the back of your dentures to become dislodged. Even soft foods can cause problems. To avoid the situation, cut food into smaller bites and focus on chewing or biting into foods with your side or back teeth.
Keep Away from Certain Foods
The list isn’t long, but even after you’ve become accustomed to your dentures, some foods should continue to be avoided. Sticky items, like chewy caramel or certain cuts of red meat, and hard candies and popcorn, can inadvertently cause you to damage your dentures and possibly chip or crack your false teeth.
These six-pointers can help make your denture adjustment period less uncomfortable and may accelerate how quickly you master speaking and eating while wearing your appliance.
For more information on dentures, book an appointment at your local denturist. They will be able to walk you through the entire process from start to finish and provide helpful information on how to prepare and care for your new dentures.
