New Dentures? Get Used to Them With These 4 Tips

Denture dentists in Jackson MI

Being the owner of new dentures can bring about a mix of excitement and awkwardness. Having your smile back is amazing but the replacement teeth can take some time to feel like they belong to you. Fortunately, our Jackson, MI, dentists can teach you how to get used to your dentures.

Here are 4 tips we recommend if you’ve just received full or partial dentures.

How Soon Will I Adjust to My Dentures?

Most patients who have received dentures for missing teeth find that it takes about 30 days to feel the most comfortable. Now, if you only have a partial denture that has replaced a few teeth instead of a full arch, your timeline may be quicker. Inserting and removing the appliance will still take some practice regardless of the denture type.

It’s natural to experience soreness, excessive salivation, and tight facial muscles during the first few weeks that you start wearing dentures. By day 14, these side effects should have lessened and regular activities like eating may start to become easier. Don’t feel discouraged, however, if eating or speaking still feels awkward at this point.

If your discomfort remains constant throughout this time, please let our dentists know. We’ll ask that you come into our Jackson, MI, dental office so we can take a look and make adjustments as necessary to improve your comfort level.

Wearing New Dentures Requires That You:

1) Understand It’s Not an Overnight Process

Getting used to dentures can feel slow and frustrating at times. That’s perfectly normal as they’re not something you can become accustomed to overnight. Because of this, the main thing our dentists want you to keep in mind is patience.

You’ll need to set realistic expectations and not be so hard on yourself. Dentures are a new dental appliance that requires practice when it comes to speaking and eating. In the beginning, our dentists recommend taking smaller bites of soft foods that are much easier to chew. Do not immediately try to go for an apple or something “difficult”.

You can also give your gums and jaw a rest by periodically taking your dentures out every few hours. If you do this, just be sure to put them back in place for the rest of the day. They can remain out while you’re sleeping but will need to be submerged in water or a denture cleanser to stay hydrated.

2) Practice Mouthing Phrases or Sing Songs

Speaking with new dentures may feel a little clunky. A good way to get over the “full” or unnatural feeling is to practice. Repeat words or phrases of varying difficulty out loud in front of a mirror to get your mouth used to having the dentures in place. Doing this a few times each day will make it easier in the long run.

Aside from talking, singing along to a song also helps you learn to form certain words better. Turn on your favorite music and have a little fun as part of your practice. If you sing smooth, fluid phrases slowly, that also helps with word formation.

3) Train Your Facial Muscles

Who said the muscles in your cheeks were exempt from exercise? If you want control while eating, it’s best to build up these muscles to relieve cheek pain in the first few weeks you have your complete dentures.

Try the following facial exercises in your own time:

Smiling really wide for at least 10 seconds several times a day.
Open your mouth slightly but keep your upper lip relaxed. Wrinkle your nose and flare your nostrils in an exaggerated motion. Finally, pull your top lip up and hold this for 10 seconds. Release and repeat a few more times.
Practice other expressions in the mirror (silly, angry, etc.) to normalize your new appearance and give the muscles in your face extra to work on.

4) Possibly Use an Adhesive

Irritation felt early on with dentures can be reduced with a dental cream or adhesive. The main thing to remember with products of this nature is that they shouldn’t become a crutch. If your dentures aren’t fitting correctly, please let our dentists know and we’ll do what we can to remedy the situation. We can also talk about possible dental implants in the future if you decide keeping up with denture care is too much for you.

Get Fitted for New Dentures Today

Despite how much we’d like them to be, dentures don’t always feel the most natural when they’re first put in. However, our dentists in Jackson, MI, can help you along the way until your dentures seem like they’ve been there from the start. Call The Dental Experience today at (517) 787-5367 to request an appointment.

This blog post has been updated.