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Advice after receiving new dentures
New dentures can feel awkward or even uncomfortable for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness during this period. You may find that your saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth adapts, these problems should reduce. If they persist, please call us for an appointment for us to have a look at the problem. How long should I wear my dentures? Your new dentures may feel different to what you are used to. They may be slightly larger than your old ones to make up for the bone lost since your last ones were made. As a result of these small changes, it may take a while to get used to them. One of the ways of speeding this process up is to try to wear the dentures as much as possible, even at night for the first few weeks. If you have had radical changes to your dentures, this may not be recommended – ask your dentist what they advise for you. Will they affect the way I speak? Your new dentures may be slightly different to you old ones. Pronouncing certain words may require a little practice. It is helpful to read out loud and repeat difficult words to master this. It is wise to avoid any major social engagements for the first few days until you are feeling more confident. What about eating with the dentures? It will take a little while for your muscles to adapt to your new dentures. Even if you are an experienced denture wearer, it is advisable to take things easy for the first few weeks. Chose softer foods and cut your food up into smaller pieces. Try to chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the denture from moving. As you become used to your dentures, add other foods until you return to your normal diet. It is normal to get a little food under the dentures after eating. Where possible, rinse your dentures under running water to remove this food to keep them comfortable. Should I wear them at night? It is our advice that after the first few weeks, you leave your dentures out at night. This is to allow the skin inside your mouth to breathe and be bathed in saliva. This will help to prevent infections like thrush. Your dentures should never be allowed to dry out as they will warp. Always keep them moist in clean water – a sopa box is an ideal container for storage overnight. How should I clean them? The best way to clean your dentures is using a toothbrush or soft nailbrush and soap or a denture toothpaste. Always clean your dentures over a towel or a basin full of water to prevent them from being damaged if they are dropped. Make sure you clean the skin side and the outside tooth part thoroughly. Dentures can become stained from tea, coffee, nicotine, and tartar just like natural teeth. Some stains can be removed at home by soaking your dentures in special solutions like Steradent or Denclen. Other stains may need your dentures to be professionally cleaned by the dentist. Your dentist will advise you which cleaning agents are safe to use with your dentures. Should I use a denture fixative? Your dentures have been made to fit your mouth closely. In most cases, you should not need to use fixative. Sometimes, it can be helpful to use fixative to start with to give extra confidence when attending social engagements. As time goes by, or if you lose weight, your mouth will change shape and the dentures may become a little looser. Using a fixative will help in the short term. Ill fitting dentures should be replaced as they may cause irritation and soreness. Must I do anything special to care for my mouth? Even with full dentures, you must care for your mouth. Every morning and evening, it is advised to brush your gums, tongue and palate (roof of your mouth) with a soft toothbrush – a baby’s brush is ideal. This helps to remove plaque and keep your breath fresh. Do I still need to see the dentist regularly? It is important that you see your dentist at least once a year. The dentist will check the fit of your dentures and make sure that they are not loose or rubbing causing soreness of your gums. They will check the skin of your mouth to ensure that it is healthy with no signs of infection or disease.
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