At the office of Sonrisa Family Dental, the care and comfort of our patients are our top priorities. Our goal is to help our patients enjoy optimal oral health and to keep them well informed every step of the way.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR NEW DENTURES
- Adjusting to wearing a new denture
Getting used to wearing a new denture takes a little time. It’s not unusual to need some minor adjustments as you begin to speak, chew, and function with your new teeth. It can take a few adjustments to fit completely and feel comfortable. If you have a sore spot, try to wear the denture at least the day before your adjustment visit. In this way, we can see exactly where we need to relieve the area causing your irritation.
- More saliva than usual
One of the natural responses to a new denture is for your mouth to produce more saliva. Not to worry, this is only a temporary reaction. The flow of saliva gradually decreases back to a normal level.
- Speaking with ease
While it may seem challenging to speak clearly at first with a new denture, that feeling will pass within a few days. It’s important to keep talking as usual to allow yourself to adapt to your new set of teeth. You can help things along by reading some passages from printed materials or a computer out loud.
- Getting used to eating with a denture
If this is your first denture, it can also take some time to adapt to eating with your new prosthesis. Getting used to eating with a full denture is typically more challenging than doing so with a partial denture. It’s best to start with soft foods and to avoid chewing on just one side. Your tongue, lips, cheeks, and soft tissues will soon adapt to chewing with your new denture and from then on you’ll be able to eat with ease.
- Taking care of your dentures
- It’s essential to keep your denture clean! Rinse your dentures after eating and brush them daily. In this way, you can prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your new set of teeth. It helps to use a brush designed for dentures. Also, remember to soak your dentures in water when you’re not wearing them and at least once a week in the recommended denture cleaner.
- Brush any remaining teeth as well as your gums to keep them clean and the tissues healthy and firm. If you wear an upper denture, rinse and gently clean the roof of your mouth as well.
- Take your dentures out at bedtime. This practice gives the gums and the jawbone a chance to rest, helping to prevent irritation and infection as well as bone resorption (shrinkage).
- Added stability
Sometimes due to the status of the underlying and supporting tissues as well as other factors, added support for denture stability and retention is required. While needing denture adhesive is not usually case with new dentures resting on sufficient supporting jawbone, it can be helpful under certain circumstances. Dentures that are implant-supported or clip onto special attachments have added stability and retention built into the design of the case.
- Follow-up care
Maintaining oral health and overall well-being involves routine checkups and care. At these visits, we not only check the fit and condition of your dentures but we also perform a comprehensive exam to check the status of any remaining teeth as well as assess the health of all of the soft and hard tissues in and around the oral cavity.
- Relines
Over time, the tissues supporting the denture can change. As the shape and contours of these tissues shrink or remodel, your denture may not fit as comfortably or feel as stable as it once did. A separate procedure, which is known as reline may be recommended.
We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have any additional questions or concerns about your new dentures, feel free to contact our office.
