What to Expect as a New Denture Wearer

Removable full or partial dentures take some getting used to for most people, but you can make the adjustment process easier by knowing what to expect.

One of the first things new denture wearers notice is how different their mouths feel with dentures compared to natural teeth.

Some slight discomfort and soreness for a couple hours after putting new dentures in your mouth are normal, but you should not experience pain or open sores. Contact your dental provider if your new dentures cause pain or excessive irritation. A professional adjustment may be all that is necessary to achieve a perfect fit.

Most denture patients notice more saliva when they first begin wearing dentures. Your body senses your new dentures as a foreign object in your mouth and increases saliva production in response. 

Any extra saliva production should subside within a month of regular denture wear. Suck on a sugar-free hard candy to remind yourself to swallow frequently if you find the extra saliva bothersome.

Many new denture wearers are surprised to find the sounds of their voices change considerably when they wear their new teeth. The good news is that the change in sound is mostly only noticeable to the denture wearer. Dentures change the structure of your face and jaw, which alters the vibrations in the skull and jawbones and changes how you hear your own voice.

Some people have trouble holding their new dentures in their mouths and still while they speak. You'll likely need at least a few days of practice before you feel fully confident with your speech. Reading aloud while watching yourself in a mirror can help you practice a natural speech pattern and learn to relax your face to a natural expression.

If you find your dentures slipping or clicking, slow your rate of speech. A good denture adhesive will also help keep your denture plates in place while you speak. Practice holding your lower denture in place by engaging your tongue and cheek muscles until you develop muscle memory.

When you first get your new dentures, you will have to learn to eat again, but once you get used to them, you will be able to eat almost anything. Choose soft foods, like cooked vegetables and mashed potatoes, for the first few days when your gums and jaw are likely to be sore.

If you have gone a long time with missing or damaged teeth, you may have trained yourself to chew on only one side of your mouth. Make an effort to chew half of your food on the right side of your dentures and half on the left side to even out the pressure and prevent sore spots from over chewing. 

After the first few days, try incorporating chewy and crunchy foods to experiment with how different textures feel against your dentures. Try using a strong denture adhesive and biting together firmly before taking a bite of a tough or dense food to keep your dentures in place and keep your gums clear of trapped food particles.

Whether you are a brand-new denture patient or you've worn dentures for years, Affordable Denture Center can help you decide what type of dentures are best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you with your dentures.