What to Expect When Getting Dentures

Millions of people wear dentures that help them to eat and speak properly. But getting used to wearing dentures can take a while as your mouth adjusts.

Therefore, to make your denture experience as positive as possible, you should know what to expect when getting dentures. Read on to learn more about dentures and how they can help you.

Dentures

Dentures are removable false teeth or prosthetics that replace natural teeth. For people with missing teeth, wearing dentures can make it easier to eat and speak. But it might take some time to get used to dentures, particularly when talking and eating. There are several types of dentures available, including partial dentures and complete dentures.

To get dentures, the dental provider will recommend the ideal type based on the patient’s needs. They will then make the initial impressions that will be used to make the dentures. Extractions, as well as other dental preparations, will be performed at this time. To properly take care of dentures, patients must maintain good oral hygiene. It is also crucial to visit the dentist on a regular basis.

Adjusting to new dentures

New dentures might feel odd or loose for a couple of weeks until the muscles in the mouth learn to keep them in place. It is common to experience soreness or some irritation for a few weeks. It is also not unusual for saliva flow to increase when people first start wearing dentures. However, as the mouth adjusts, all of these problems will diminish.

Eating and speaking with new dentures

Many people need to learn how to use their dentures properly. It, therefore, takes a while to get used to new dentures. After some time, a person should be able to eat fairly normally. It usually takes more time to get comfortable with sticky or hard foods.

It is often ideal to start with soft foods like mashed potatoes, bananas, yogurt, or scrambled eggs. As chewing gets easier, people should move on to more solid foods. Some good options include cooked vegetables, pasta, rice, or soft meat. After getting dentures, it might be difficult to pronounce particular words correctly.

But with a little practice, people will become accustomed to speaking properly with them. In some cases, dentures may make a clicking sound when a person is talking. If this happens, people should speak more slowly. New dentures may also regularly slip when people laugh, cough, or smile. In such cases, it is advisable to reposition them by biting down gently and swallowing.

When to contact a dentist

Dentures are a great solution for people who are missing some or all of their teeth. These dental appliances can aid in making speaking and eating easier for most people. New dentures might feel awkward or loose at first. You may also experience some minor irritation or soreness or have more saliva than normal. These problems usually go away after a while. But if any issues worsen or persist, contact your general dentist as soon as possible.

Request an appointment or call Phoenix Family Dentistry at 602-547-9007 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.