The key to getting the most out of your new permanent dentures is to expect and be prepared for the inevitable annoyances that come with adjusting to a new prosthesis. While your denturist in Toronto has worked tirelessly with a team of dental technologists to produce the most comfortable, realistic and well-fitted false teeth for your mouth, the fact is that wearing them is going to take some getting used to. If you are willing to pay attention to your mouth and take action before serious problems develop, you’ll soon find that you can’t live without your new dentures – and will enjoy wearing them for years to come.
Here are some common issues reported by new denture wearers, and how to address them for maximum benefit.
“Yikes! I feel like every time I chew something, all the food is getting stuck inside and behind my dentures.”
-Try eating more slowly than you normally would, being careful to put equal pressure on both sides of the mouth as you chew so your dentures don’t tip, causing food to fall underneath. You might also want to avoid foods that have small seeds (like poppy seed bagels) or overly hard foods, like almonds, as well as chewy foods, like some meats, that can really strain you when you’re first starting out. Taking smaller bites of softer foods will give you the confidence to build up to your old diet again.
“I feel like everyone must be able to tell I’m wearing dentures. Every time I yawn or laugh, I can feel them sliding around in there.”
-Don’t worry – other people probably can’t notice your dentures moving around, much as they can’t see a person’s contact lenses moving when they blink – but to you, it feels much more obvious because it’s happening in your own mouth. If you feel your dentures move, just bite down and swallow – they should revert to their normal position. Some people also like to try commercial adhesive pastes to keep their dentures more firmly in place.
“Ow! My gums are sore underneath my dentures. The problem is worse when I eat.”
-Your gums should be fully healed from any extractions before you are fitted with permanent dentures, but remember, the new pressures of eating can definitely cause dentures to rub against your gums, making them tender. Your dentures may need adjustment from your denturist Toronto, who will ensure they fit properly and aren’t rubbing or chafing some areas more than others. Another issue is oral hygiene. Even though you might not need to brush your dentures as vigorously as you did your teeth, they should still be soaked in a denture solution overnight, and you should brush your gums, mouth and tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to make sure bacteria isn’t building up.
Remember, your best friend and ally in the process of becoming accustomed to your new dentures, is the denturist who fit you with your natural-looking, affordable dentures in the first place! At Dentures Direct, we want to hear from you – whether your complaint is related to soreness in the mouth and gums, awkwardness with daily tasks like eating and speaking, or any other signs of poor fit. Whether you’ve had your dentures for two weeks or two years, our denture experts would be happy to examine your mouth and dentures to determine what the difficulty is, and then professionally adjust or repair your dentures in our on-site lab – usually while you wait. Don’t suffer with denture annoyances one minute longer than you have to. Call Dentures Direct today at 416-245-7474!