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Important Information for New Denture Wearers
With new dentures, you may experience a variety of temporary effects ranging from interference with speech to an inability to chew or slight pain. Be assured that an adjustment period to new dentures is quite normal and expected, and that all of these issues have been experienced and overcome by many other denture patients. During this adjustment period you are still under the treatment of your prosthetist. This period of adjustment is necessary for a successful outcome as the prosthetist examines the fit and function of your dentures and the degree of harmony with your natural jaw movements. The length of this period will vary according to your mouth characteristics, general state of health, age and your ability to adapt to new conditions.
Please remember that the prosthetist would not send you home with new dentures unless satisfied that they fit you properly. In time and with consistent use, you will find that your dentures will fit comfortably and function well.
Common Conditions During the Adjustment Period
Nausea
Patients who suffer from this condition normally do so for a number of reasons, rest assured that the feeling will soon pass. Keep your dentures in your mouth for as long as you can tolerate. If this feeling persists for two days or more, call your prosthetist for an appointment.
Feeling of Looseness
As you adjust to your dentures, your tongue and cheek muscles will attempt to repel them as they would any foreign body, and these efforts may result in a sensation of loose dentures. In time and as the dentures settle into place, these muscles will stop trying to expel your dentures and aid in holding them in place. At this time you will notice a definite improvement in the fit. During the adjustment period, close your mouth and lips and suck gently on your dentures to overcome this feeling of looseness.
Feeling of Fullness in the Mouth As you have introduced a foreign body into your mouth (the new denture), this temporary condition is perfectly natural. With time, this feeling of fullness will pass as you adjust to your new dentures.
Speech Difficulties
Trouble speaking may be caused by the presence of new teeth in the mouth, and patience is necessary during the adjustment period as your mouth and tongue adjust to the new dentures. Your speech can be improved considerably if you take some time to read aloud, paying special attention to your pronunciation and repeating words that you have difficulty saying clearly.
Soreness
The tissue of your mouth are among the most sensitive of your body and some time may pass before they become completely adjusted to the presence of your new dentures. During this time, it is normal to experience some mild discomfort. However, sore spots occasionally develop and these must be corrected by your prosthetist. Many patients require follow-up visits for denture adjustments during the first few weeks, so be assured this is a very common and expected experience. In the event that you develop a sore spot, call your prosthetist to make an appointment. Until that time, keep the dentures in your mouth as much as possible so that the sore spot will be present during your appointment. This will ensure that the prosthetist will correctly diagnose and treat the problem. Do not continue to wear your dentures if discomfort becomes pain.
In the event that you experience soreness, chafing or other discomfort, you must NEVER attempt to alter or adjust your dentures yourself. Your prosthetist is specially trained to locate and fix such problems and is the only person who should ever adjust your dentures. Just as you would not attempt to pull your own tooth if it was bothering you, you should not try adjusting your own dentures.
Facial Expression
Your expression may seem slightly altered at first, but your facial muscles and lips will soon relax to their natural position.
Function or Chewing Ability
Before you begin to chew with your new dentures, it is wise to be fully adjusted to all other phases. If you do not wait until your dentures are comfortable before you use them to chew you will be disappointed with the results. Once you begin to use your new dentures to chew, try to be persistent and patient with the rate of your progress. Begin with very small bites of soft food and chew very softly. In biting into harder foods such as apples or carrots, try pressing smaller pieces against your front teeth and simultaneously breaking the food off by twisting your hand.
To keep your lower denture in place as much as possible while chewing, try:
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Using an up-and-down chewing motion, keeping side-to-side jaw movements to a minimum
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Placing small portions of food on both sides of your mouth at the same time
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Limiting your tongue movements until your chewing efforts become efficient. At first, smaller particles of food may get under your dentures, but in time this condition will correct itself.
Excessive Saliva Production
Your saliva glands naturally become overactive when any foreign body is placed in the mouth. In the beginning, your dentures will be recognized by the mouth as a foreign body, but in a few days will be accepted as a normal presence. Any excessive salivation will decrease to normal amounts within a few days.
Care of Your Dentures
Caring for your denture is not difficult, but it does take a little time and effort each day. With regular maintenance and daily attention, your dentures can stay looking as fresh and new as the day you first got them.
Cleaning
The most important thing to remember is to clean your dentures regularly. You may use a soft toothbrush; it is a gentle and non-abrasive denture-cleaning tool. Never use a hard toothbrush.
We recommend using a mild cleaning agent such as Sunlight Soap to keep your dentures clean and free from calculus/food build up.
Denture soaks can be used if heavy staining or build ups occur.
When cleaning your dentures, do so over a sink partially full of water, or drape a soft towel in the sink basin. This will serve to minimize breakage in the event that you accidentally drop your dentures.
Never use boiling or excessively hot water, as this will warp your dentures. Lukewarm water from the tap is sufficient.
When dentures are not being worn, keep moist in clean, cold water.
Oral Care
Each time you remove your dentures for cleaning, some care and attention should be paid to your gums and ridges. Using a clean finger, massage your gums, both upper and lower, for several minutes. (This can also be done with a clean, soft toothbrush.) This serves to stimulate blood flow to the area, which helps promote healthy gums. You can also rinse your mouth once a day with warm salt water to heal any chafing or rubbing caused by the dentures or by daily activities. At night you can choose whether or not to keep your dentures in, whatever you find most comfortable.
New Denture Bases/Relines
Over time, your ridges will naturally shrink as the bone recedes and supporting tissues change. This change will be more rapid with some patients than with others and is affected by the condition of your health and the protective care of your ridges. When this resorption progresses to the point where your dentures are too loose to be worn, or where your facial appearance becomes noticeably changed, you should make an appointment with your prosthetist to have your dentures rebased/remodelled or relined.
Breakages
Your prosthetist has used the best materials available in the construction of your dentures. However, this does not mean that they are indestructible. Rather, if too much force is placed upon them they will break. Breakages from cracked dentures to lost teeth can usually be repaired
Annual Examination
At least once a year, you should make an appointment with your prosthetist for a thorough examination. An examination provides your prosthetist with an opportunity to correct any problems that may have appeared due to natural and progressive changes in your oral structures that can cause shifting of the dentures, undue pressure on supporting ridges, or damage to oral structures and bony projections. This step is crucial to maintaining correct alignment of your dentures as well as good oral health. In addition, regular professional cleaning and polishing will help to prevent disagreeable tastes and odours from forming on your dentures.