First-time denture users may have many questions about how to handle this new object in their lives, so here are some tips for getting used to dentures, caring for them, and speaking and eating with them.
One Decade Equals One Week
New users should give themselves about one week for every decade of their age to adjust. For example, a seventy-year-old should give herself seven weeks to adapt. Adjustment difficulties may result from dentures feeling loose and foreign in the mouth. They need time to settle and properly tighten. A dentist can, and should, adjust them if they rub the gums. Otherwise, an ulcer could result.
Dental adhesives can be valuable to keep dentures in place, but it’s very important to follow the instructions exactly and to use a minimal amount of the adhesive. Excessive salivation during the first day can be a problem, and sugar-free mints will help.
Talk Aloud
New users should talk aloud as much as possible. Reading a book verbally is a great way to do this, as are talking to pets and plants. If coming up with what to say is difficult, reciting numbers and word lists do in a pinch.
Keep Track of the Timeline
New users should keep their dentures in the first one or two nights to help their mouths adjust. Afterward, dentures should be removed nightly. People who got immediate dentures will most likely need new ones after three months because the gums may not be where they were expected to be. So, users who are still having many difficulties after three months need to research this further. No matter whether you choose a denturist like Bonnie Doon Denture Clinic in Edmonton or one in your particular locale, also make sure you visit your dentist regularly to ward off mouth infections.
Think Small and Soft Foods
Eating less food and cutting it into smaller pieces is necessary when getting used to eating with dentures. New users can help equalize the pressure load on the dentures by chewing part of their food on the back left side of their mouths and the other part on the back right. They should chew slowly and deliberately. Soft foods are also a great idea: some options include eggs, vegetables and oatmeal. After adjustment, moving on to foods such as celery should be very possible.
Users can speed up the process of adjusting to their dentures if they allow themselves ample time to adjust, talk aloud and go easy with food.