What to expect
Going from natural teeth to a denture is a big adjustment for any patient. The patient’s ability to chew food decreases about 90%. Taste of food and often speech may be altered at first. In general, an upper denture is easier to adjust to than a lower denture. The amount of stability of a denture depends on several things and not all people adapt to complete dentures as well as others.
We will do everything in our power to help you adjust to your new dentures. However, the patient must realize that dentures are a satisfactory replacement for having no teeth at all but they very rarely function as well as natural teeth.
Following the extraction of teeth, considerable changes occur in the shape of gums and bone. Most of these changes- ie. shrinkage, will take place during the first six months.
It therefore follows that a denture placed over an extraction site can be expected to become loose over this period. This may result in the need for denture fixatives initially, and later a reline of the denture, or even a new denture at six months if the shrinkage is extensive.
Denture Care
New dentures may be uncomfortable for a few weeks. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. Should this continue, please return to your dentist.
How to care for your dentures
- Dentures are very delicate and will break easily. Fill the basin with water when cleaning them.
- Use a tough toothbrush to reach into all the crevices and fitting surfaces of your denture. Rinse after every meal and brush daily with soap or denture cleaner and warm water to remove any food debris and plaque. Do not soak in chemical cleaner any more than once a week.
- Denture should not be worn at night.
- When not wearing them, store in a container with enough water to cover them.
- Over a period of time, dentures need to be re-lined or replaced due to normal wear and change in shape of your mouth. Loose dentures can cause health problems, sore and infection. This can lead to eating and speaking difficulties.
- Please visit your dentist to have your denture and mouth checked regularly.