Like anything new, getting used to your dentures takes time and patience. This could take anywhere from two to eight weeks and is an experience that varies from person to person. Perhaps the most notable part of getting new dentures is the way they feel and, as someone new to wearing dentures, your dentures may feel a little strange and bulky at first. It’s also perfectly normal to experience increased salivation and a bit of difficulty when doing things like eating or speaking.
Nevertheless, remember that these feelings and difficulties are temporary and it’s only a matter of time until everything is back to normal. Here are a few tips to help you ease your way through the first few weeks of denture ownership.
Don’t Toss Your Old Dentures
While you might be thrilled to get rid of your old dentures (if you had any), it pays to hang on to them even if they’re somewhat damaged or don’t fit right — at least until you’re used to your new ones. Part of the reason behind this is that if your new dentures don’t fit quite right and need to be adjusted, you’ll at least have a spare to get you through however long it takes for the changes to be made.
Adjust for Comfort
New dentures can sometimes rub against the inside of your mouth and cause some minor discomfort. Even though rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can provide some temporary relief, one of the first things you should be doing after getting new dentures is booking a follow-up visit with your denturist. During this visit, your denturist can check to make sure you’re adapting to your new dentures and make any necessary minor adjustments to ensure your dentures fit right and are comfortable.
Eating & Speaking
Especially if it’s your first-time getting dentures, eating and speaking with your dentures in takes time, practice, and a bit of patience. Try your best to avoid hard or sticky foods and stick to soft food that’s easy to chew and swallow, at least for the first couple of days. Cutting your food up into smaller pieces is also advisable, and make sure you use both sides of your mouth to chew to help keep your dentures in place. You’ll be back to enjoying the foods you love in no time!
As far as speaking goes, the important thing to remember is that talking with dentures isn’t as hard or noticeable to others as you might think. The best and easiest thing you can do is practicing speaking aloud, which will help you build confidence as your mouth adjusts to your new dentures.
If you’re struggling with one or all of the above, rest assured that help is at hand. At Hillhurst Denture Clinic we take pride in our work and are committed to making sure our patients are as comfortable as possible while getting used to their dentures. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
