Dentures are custom-made prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth, restoring both function and appearance. The transition to wearing them is a significant step that requires patience and learning new habits. While the initial feeling of a foreign object in the mouth can be challenging, understanding the adjustment process is key to success. This guide provides practical information to help you manage the immediate experience of wearing your new dentures.
The First 24 Hours: Insertion, Removal, and Initial Wear
Learning to manage your new dentures begins immediately with mastering the gentle techniques for insertion and removal. To insert, apply even pressure with your fingertips on both sides until it seats fully against the gum ridge. Never force the appliance into place, as this risks damaging the denture or injuring your gum tissue.
Removal requires a careful reversal of this process, breaking the seal by gently wiggling the denture or hooking a fingernail at the border near the cheek. To prevent accidental damage from dropping, always stand over a folded towel or a basin of water while handling the appliance. You may notice an immediate increase in saliva production, as your mouth interprets the denture as a foreign object.
Initial sensations often include a feeling of bulkiness, and some new wearers experience a temporary gag reflex, especially with upper dentures. Your oral tissues and muscles need time to accommodate the new shape and size. Wear the dentures continuously for the first 24 hours, even while sleeping, before your follow-up appointment. This continuous wear allows the denture to press on high-pressure points, creating visible marks that help your dentist accurately identify and adjust the fit.
Mastering Function: Tips for Eating and Speaking
Eating with new dentures requires a conscious change in chewing mechanics to ensure the appliance remains stable. Begin only with soft foods that require minimal chewing, such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, or pureed soups. This initial phase helps your gums adapt to the pressure without the strain of hard or sticky textures.
When progressing to more solid foods, cut your meals into small, manageable pieces. Successful chewing involves placing food on both the left and right sides of your mouth simultaneously. This bilateral chewing distributes force evenly across the dental arches, stabilizing the denture and preventing tipping or rocking. Avoid biting down directly with your front teeth, as this can easily dislodge the appliance.
Speech also presents an initial hurdle because the prosthetic alters the airflow and the tongue’s movement patterns. Your tongue must learn to reposition itself to form sounds correctly around the new appliance. To speed up adaptation, practice speaking by reading aloud from a book or newspaper.
Focus on practicing words that contain sounds typically difficult for new wearers, such as “s” and “f” sounds. Consistent practice will train your cheek and tongue muscles to naturally hold the denture in place while you speak.
Troubleshooting Common Issues: Soreness and Adjustments
Experiencing localized soreness, often called a pressure point or a sore spot, is an expected part of the adjustment period. These spots occur where the base of the denture rests unevenly on the gum tissue, causing irritation and inflammation. It is important to keep your dentures in place for at least 12 hours before your adjustment appointment.
Wearing the denture allows the sore spot to become clearly visible as a reddened or inflamed area on the gum ridge. This guides the dental professional to the exact location requiring adjustment. Removing the denture right before the appointment can cause the inflammation to subside, making it impossible for the dentist to precisely locate the source of the pressure.
While waiting for an appointment, you can use temporary relief measures such as rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Do not attempt to file or alter the denture yourself, as minor changes can compromise the fit and cause greater damage. Denture adhesive can be used in a minimal amount, applied in small dots, but only to provide added security, never to mask a poorly fitting denture or delay a professional adjustment.
Essential Daily Care for New Dentures
Proper hygiene is necessary to maintain the health of your gums and the longevity of your new appliance. Clean your dentures daily by brushing them over a sink filled with water or lined with a towel. This precaution prevents the denture from breaking if accidentally dropped.
Use a specialized denture brush and a non-abrasive cleaning paste or mild soap. Standard toothpaste is too abrasive and can scratch the acrylic surface, creating spaces where bacteria can accumulate. After the initial 24-hour period of continuous wear, remove your dentures overnight.
The primary reason for removing them is to allow the gum tissue underneath to rest and recover from the pressure. Removing the denture also promotes saliva circulation, which naturally cleanses the oral tissues and helps prevent infections like stomatitis. When not being worn, dentures must be stored in water or a dedicated soaking solution to keep the acrylic material moist and prevent warping.