When someone has lost their teeth after injury or tooth decay, it can be difficult feeling confident while wearing dentures. Simply having them in place every day is a major adjustment, but one that gets easier with time. Whether you are interested in full dentures or a partial, we recommend you speak with one of our Troy, MI, dentists.
Here are 5 helpful so you can make an easier transition.
What to Expect When You Start Wearing Dentures
It’s normal to have more saliva than usual after beginning to wear dentures. This is because the false teeth feel foreign to your body at first and the process of takes time. Soon, your salivary glands will calm down and you won’t produce as much saliva. In the meantime, try eating some mints or other types of small candy as this will encourage you to swallow more naturally.
Within the first few hours of wearing your new dentures, you may develop some mouth sores. This is a relatively common problem that goes away once the muscles in your mouth get used to holding your dentures in place. Using a great denture adhesive will also prevent them from slipping.
If you continue having problems with your dentures, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Troy, MI, dental office. Keep in mind that if you recently underwent tooth extraction, your gums will contract as they heal which will affect the fit of your dentures. Our dentists can make sure that they are adjusted over time so they always fit comfortably.
1. Don’t Let Your Dentures Dry Out
Your natural teeth are never dry because they are constantly bathed by the saliva in your mouth. Likewise, your dentures should always be submerged in water or a denture cleanser soaking solution when not in your mouth. Dentures that have been allowed to dry out will warp and crack. Since dentures are an investment in your smile and oral health, it’s important to make sure your dentures always remain wet.
2. Brush Your Dentures
Just like you brush your natural teeth, you will need to brush your dentures. Over time, plaque and odor-causing bacteria can build up on your dentures and give you bad breath. Food particles can also linger and create stains on your new dental restoration. Brushing your dentures daily will help ensure you have a beautiful happy smile for years to come. Our denture dentists will be more than happy to teach you how to brush your new appliance if you need assistance.
3. Remember to Clean Your Gums and Tongue
Did you know that your gums are just as important as your natural teeth for maintaining good oral health? Bacteria left to fester in the mouth can cause gum disease if you don’t brush on a daily basis. Among adults, gingivitis is especially common. It only makes sense that you would want the gums that your dentures sit on to be as healthy as possible. The soft toothbrush bristles also help stimulate your gums, which is a plus.
4. Read Out Loud to Help Pronunciation
Don’t be discouraged if you have difficulty saying certain words. This is perfectly normal for people who have just started wearing dentures. Your lips, cheeks, and tongue will have to adjust to . Rest assured, you won’t always speak with a lisp. In the meantime, we recommend reading out loud from one of your favorite books to practice pronunciation. The more you practice speaking with your new dentures, the sooner you’ll notice your lisp disappear.
5. Know How to Correct Slipping Dentures
Most of the time, your dentures should be a perfect fit to your mouth so that you can feel confident while eating and talking. However, abrupt movements can cause your dentures to slip slightly. Denture slippage is usually caused by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or even smiling.
When you feel your dentures slipping, we recommend gently biting down and swallowing. This will help adjust your dentures so that they slide back into optimal alignment. If you experience frequent problems with how your false teeth fit, you may need to schedule an appointment for denture repair.
Request an Appointment
Need extra help with your dentures or want to get started with a new pair? Request an appointment with one of our denture dentists in Troy, MI, by calling Mosaic Dental today at (248) 528-2270.
This blog post has been updated.
Teeth Whitening