Teeth Transition: 3 Tips to Adjust to Your New Dentures

Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss that remains popular today because of their versatility. These prosthetics are customized to look as lifelike as possible and can be designed to replace several missing teeth or an entire arch based on your needs.

However, it often takes new patients about a month to adjust to wearing their restoration all day, and it’s common to experience certain challenges until you’re more acclimated. Continue reading to learn about 3 tips that can help ease your transition to life with dentures!

Tip #1: Start Softly

One of the greatest advantages of having dentures is that they replace missing teeth so that you can speak and eat more normally. That said, you likely won’t be able to dive into all your favorite meals the moment you receive your restoration. It takes time for your tongue and other supporting muscles to learn to hold it in place while simultaneously manipulating pieces of food to be thoroughly chewed and swallowed.

You can make it easier on yourself by sticking to soft foods for the first couple of weeks. Popular options include scrambled eggs, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, ice cream, pudding, juice, protein shakes, or blended smoothies.

Tip #2: Manage Discomfort

Although dentures aren’t typically considered painful, it’s normal to develop some aches and inflammation when they’re brand new. Your prosthetics rely on a firm suction against the connective tissues over the bony ridges in your mouth to remain put all day. You might experience mild throbbing or develop sore spots until the tender tissues grow stronger and more calloused to support them.

In the meantime, you can rinse with warm salt water to naturally disinfect your mouth while easing associated aches. It’s also usually safe to take over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen or Tylenol to address discomfort.

Tip #3: Practice At Home

Many patients develop a temporary lisp or other changes to their speech patterns when they begin wearing dentures regularly. Your teeth play a pivotal role in your ability to enunciate different sounds and words, and you may need to be patient with yourself while you relearn how to speak with your restoration in place.

If you’re anxious about being judged for the changes in your abilities, you can try practicing at home where no one can hear your mistakes. It can be helpful to read out loud to yourself and repeat any challenging sections until they come more easily.  

Once you’ve adjusted to wearing your dentures all day, you can enjoy meals and conversations without feeling embarrassed!

About the Practice

Patients at Dental Expressions benefit from a husband-and-wife dental duo dedicated to helping you improve your smile. Drs. Robert and Heather Heil share 30+ years of combined experience treating people of all ages, so you and your entire family can receive the same high-quality care. They offer a comprehensive array of services, including dentures, to meet your unique needs. They combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to increase patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you need to replace missing teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (920) 788-6280.