Most new things come with a learning curve. Whether it’s your first time on a bicycle, learning a foreign language, or getting used to eating and speaking with new dentures, it’s normal to need a little time to get it right.
If you’ve just been sent home with your first pair of dentures, it may surprise you to know that using them takes a little bit of practice. Here’s how to master wearing your new prosthetics in the first month!
The First 24 Hours
When you leave your dentist’s office with your first set of dentures, they may feel a little bit strange. In fact, you may even believe you’d be more comfortable without them, but don’t take them out. Your dentist recommends wearing them for the first 24 hours without removing them. This will help you get used to them and allow them to become better adjusted to your jaw.
You should also begin eating a diet of soft or pureed foods until you master chewing with them. This can take up to a month, so be patient with yourself. For now, stick to things like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, applesauce and oatmeal.
The First 2 Weeks
If you had any teeth extracted prior to getting your dentures, your dentist may need you to return to the office to check your gums and ensure they are healing properly. During the first two weeks with your new dentures, you should still be eating soft foods, gradually increasing their firmness as you grow more confident in your ability to chew with them.
You may also be struggling to speak clearly with them still. The good news is that the more you talk in your new prosthetics, the easier it will become. Experts recommend that you speak as often as possible in the first month. Narrate your day, have conversations with people in your home, and even count from 60 to 90 to help pronounce complicated sounds.
After the first day, you should also have begun removing your dentures several times a day to brush them and floss them. You should also be taking them out every single night before bed and after deep cleaning them, keeping them soaking in a glass of water or denture soak until you are ready to wear them again in the morning. Never sleep in your dentures past the first day of wear, as this can cause them to dry out and become damaged.
The Second 2 Weeks
Continue to eat a softer diet and practice speaking. If you notice any sores or excessive saliva, speak to your dentist to see if you need any adjustments. While these are both normal at first, they should be decreasing frequency around the two-week mark.
The First 30 Days
During your first 30 days, your dentures should get much easier to use, however it is possible that their fit may change during this time as your gum tissue adapts and your dentures begin to exhibit some wear and tear. If anything feels uncomfortable or you still don’t feel like they fit correctly, speak to your dentist about adjustments.
Remember, it’s normal to need a little time to adjust to wearing dentures, so don’t stress out if you don’t master them on day one. Ideally, you should take the first 30 days to get used to eating and speaking with them and make any fit adjustments necessary. After the initial month, using your dentures for what they were designed for should be much more comfortable and a whole lot easier.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need any adjustments, speak to your dentist as soon as possible.
About Dr. Altenbach
Dr. Sean M. Altenbach wants to help you restore your smile. Whether you need a cleaning and exam, a cosmetic treatment, or you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth with the help of dentures, Altenbach Dentistry has a solution to assist you. A warm and compassionate dentist, Dr. Altenbach has been named a “topDentist” in Jacksonville Magazine multiple times by his peers!
To schedule a consultation for dentures, please visit our website or call us today at 904-448-0441.