Adjusting to Life With Dentures

Though dentistry has come a long way since your grandmother’s teeth in a cup, dental implants aren’t an option for everyone. Dentures remain one of the standard options for people missing anywhere from one to all their teeth in the upper or lower arch.

At Silver Lake Dentistry in Raymore, Missouri, our caring providers are ready and able to help you decide what type of dentures is best for you and to assist you as you adjust to your new normal.

Side effects to expect with dentures

Like contacts or any other type of aid, dentures can have an adjustment period. The first time wearing any type of denture can be an uncomfortable experience, but you’ll feel more comfortable and confident with time.

Since dentures are held in place by your gums, you’ll likely experience some soreness as they adjust to the pressure. You may also produce more saliva because of the stimulation, but these effects will lessen over time. If they don’t, it might be a sign that your dentures need to be re-fitted.

Eating and speaking with dentures

For the first few days or weeks, stick to a diet of soft foods to avoid putting added pressure on your gums. One the gum soreness has resolved, you can return to your usual eating habits. Introduce harder foods gradually, but don’t overdo it. There is no rushing the adjustment process, and trying to force things will only prolong your discomfort.

The following tips can help you adapt to eating with dentures:

Check the temperature of hot foods and beverages beforehand
Bite carefully, and do not use your front teeth
Chew food on both sides of your mouth to balance pressure
Slow down and think about how you’re chewing
Avoid hard or sticky foods

Learning to speak with dentures can be equally challenging. Certain words may sound different, stick in your mouth, or feel awkward to say. Try biting down on something before speaking. This can reposition your dentures more firmly, making it easier to enunciate words.

Practice in private by repeating words that give you trouble, and don’t feel embarrassed if you fumble during conversation. Humans are remarkably adaptable, and within a few weeks, your dentures will feel like a natural part of your mouth.

Denture adjustments

If you’re still struggling to eat, speak, and wear your dentures comfortably after a month, you might need to have them adjusted. At Silver Lake Dentistry, we offer the following options to improve how your dentures fit and feel: