If you're considering dentures, you may be wondering what you can expect while you get used to them. Our Surrey dentists list some common obstacles and tips for adjusting to your new dentures.
What to Expect
If you're hoping to feel more confident in your grin while restoring your smile, dentures may help. They can also support facial muscles and structure and reduce bone loss.
While dentures can be a great long-term solution for some people who are missing teeth, adjusting to them can take some time and effort.
It usually takes people anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to fully adjust to wearing new dentures.
Be gentle with your mouth as it adjusts to these significant changes and to having dentures in place of your natural teeth. Understanding what to expect can make the transition easier.
Common Complaints
Some patients notice these challenges during the early stages of wearing dentures:
- Gums may loosen or shrink
- Sore spots and bone chips may develop
- Smile seems unnatural
- Problems eating or speaking while wearing dentures
- Higher production of saliva
- Impact on chewing
Remember that these issues are a natural part of the dental process, and most will be temporary.
Tips for Adjusting to Your New Dentures
In the first few days or weeks, your new dentures may feel awkward and unnatural. Some of your most significant challenges during this time may be related to changes in eating and speaking. Here are some pointers that might be useful.
Eating
After getting new dentures, you'll need to eat soft or liquid foods. Your diet will be restricted during the first few days of your recovery. You should plan ahead of time and prepare foods that will be ready when you are hungry. Choose foods that don't require much chewing because they will help you avoid pain or discomfort.
You might also consider using a food processor, blender or juicer to eat some of your favourite foods during this time.
Use this list to give you some ideas during the first few days or weeks:
- Avocadoes
- Rice
- Smoothies
- Cooked or steamed vegetables that have softened
- Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Milkshakes or icecream
- Soups
- Soft or melted cheeses
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Muffins
- Pancakes
Speaking With Your New Dentures
Similar to eating, you may find it awkward to speak for the first few weeks after you get new dentures. Remember that practice is the best way to get used to your new dentures and become confident in speaking once again.
Speak more slowly than usual to help control any movement that may happen if your new dentures shift while you're talking and to lessen clicking noises. Applying denture adhesive might help keep your dentures in position. Consult your Surrey dentist to determine if this option is best for you.
Reading aloud to yourself while you practice might be beneficial, especially in the early going when you might feel awkward speaking in front of others. You can adjust and retrain yourself to repeat challenging sounds in this way without worrying about an audience. Speaking will become easier and more natural the more opportunities you take to practice, which will quickly boost your confidence in your new dentures.
