Removable dentures are a great tooth replacement option for people who have to have a large number of teeth removed. They can be made relatively quickly, require no additional surgery, and offer a secure, comfortable fit as long as you’re visiting your dentist regularly. Below we have 5 tips for getting used to dentures.
5 Tips for Getting Used to Dentures
With that said, dentures are not like your real teeth. They’re going to feel foreign at first, and there’s going to be an adjustment period where you may be uncomfortable. The good news is that this phase is usually short, and there are five things you can do to get used to your new dentures.
Be Patient and Communicate
When you first get your removable dentures in Irvine it’s really important that you talk to your dentist. Get a good idea of what you can expect so that you can identify sensations and experiences that aren’t normal.
When you’re getting your dentures fitted, talk to your dentist about how they feel. It’s not going to be comfortable right away, but communicating with your dentist can help them adjust your dentures for the best fit and the shortest adjustment period.
Practice Talking in Private
Learning to speak with your dentures can be a bit challenging. Most of us don’t realize how important our teeth are to the sounds we make, so changing that landscape may make it more difficult for you to speak clearly at first.
Fortunately, all you need to do is practice and get used to the feel of your dentures. To speed up the process many speech therapists suggest singing to yourself while you’re at home. Singing helps you focus on fluidity and often requires a slower pace than normal speaking.
Take Your Jaw to the Gym
You are used to having a direct connection between your jaw and your teeth. That connection provides stability and power, but dentures are unable to perfectly replicate that relationship.
As a result, it is very common for people who are new to dentures to experience soreness in their gums, jaw, and facial muscles. If that is an issue for you, then check in with your dentist to learn what facial exercises you can do to provide better support while using your dentures.
Use a Dental Adhesive
Modern dentures provide an excellent fit as long as they’re regularly adjusted by your dentist. In fact, many people who wear dentures don’t have to use a dental adhesive to hold them in place.
Even so, a dental adhesive can help your dentures to feel more secure while you’re adjusting to the way they feel when you talk, chew, and smile. You can always phase out your use of dental adhesive later as you get more comfortable.
Listen to Your Dentist
The best thing you can do to speed up the adjustment period with dentures is listen to your dentist. They will provide you with instructions regarding how often you should wear your dentures as you adjust to help you practice without overworking your jaw and gums.
Even with dentures, you will want to see your dentist every six months. So they can check your oral health and adjust your dentures as needed. During these appointments, pay attention to your dentist’s advice for the best possible health outcomes.
What If Removable Dentures Aren’t For Me?
If you require a large number of extractions but hate the idea of removable dentures, there are other options available to you. Your Irvine implant dentistry office can talk you through several of these options, including dental implant-supported dentures.
These dentures are not removable and are held in place by a select number of dental implants. The process for getting dental implant-supported dentures is more involved, but it’s well worth it for many people.