How Do You Get Used To Wearing Dentures?
Getting used to dentures will take some time. This is primarily because they are a foreign object in your mouth but over time they will feel comfortable and you will barely notice you have them. But until then, there are a few things to be aware of as you adjust to false teeth.
One thing you may notice is irritations created by the rubbing of the dentures against your gums when you eat or talk, depending on how your false teeth fit. As your mouth adjusts to them, dentures eventually ‘bed-in’; eating with false teeth will take a bit of time getting used to, but you will get used to it after a while.
How Long Will New Dentures Hurt?
As mentioned above, dentures are something you insert into your mouth that is a new and different object. They may not fit perfectly on the first day and there could be some rubbing on your gums. An adjustment made by your dentist should remedy this problem.
However, when new dentures hurt your gums, irritation can be caused by more than just your mouth working out how this new plate of teeth is going to operate. If your pain is coming from tooth extractions, this is a different matter. Bone heals slowly so more frequent denture adjustments may be required.
You will also have to consider that if you already have sensitive gums that you can expect some form of irritation early on. There is no set pattern as to how long denture pain will last from one individual to another. With that being said, there are ways to ease the discomfort.
What Can I Use For Sore Gums From Dentures?
There are several ways to treat sore gums that develop as you are getting used to false teeth. One of the easiest ways to take care of this is by rinsing your mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt. This saline solution will kill germs and help strengthen irritated gums.
Another effective treatment comes in the form of a hot compress that can be placed on the sore gums. Be sure to remove the false teeth before applying the compress. The heat on sore gums will relax the soft tissue as well as work to reduce the amount of inflammation.
Avoiding certain foods for a period of time will also give your gums a chance to adjust to having dentures on them. Solid foods, salty and acidic foods should also be removed from your diet until the irritations have healed and your gums have strengthened to handle these foods again.
How Do You Eat With Dentures?
Eating with dentures will have an impact on your normal eating habits. For the first few weeks, you should cut food into smaller pieces and do not pull or tear food when using a fork. Biting with an up and down motion with your front teeth may dislodge your dentures.
Until you are used to eating with new dentures, you should chew more on your side and back teeth. The most effective way to do this is with a sideways chewing motion. Also, if you eat with food on both sides of your mouth it works to keep the balance between the dentures.
When you learn to eat this way it not only helps keep your false teeth in place minimizing the possibility of dislodging them, it is good for your oral health. By eating on both sides of your mouth you work the muscles evenly helping them adjust to the dentures quicker.
What Foods Can You Eat With Dentures?
In the beginning, with new dentures, your diet will change slightly and will likely consist of most soups and soft foods. As your mouth, jaw, and tongue get used to wearing dentures, you will be able to reintroduce different foods back into your regular eating routine.
Eventually, your mouth will become accustomed to the changes that come with wearing false teeth. When this point is reached you should be able to eat the majority of foods you used to enjoy before dentures entered the picture. However, you may need to cut some into small pieces.
The main difference in your diet will come from the foods you will no longer be able to eat because of dentures. Hard foods such as nuts and raw vegetables can cause damage to your false teeth just as very hot liquids can. Sticky foods are also on this list of foods that you may not be able to eat as often or as easily as they may dislodge dentures.
What Is The Best Chewing Gum For Dentures?
Chewing gum can serve many purposes. In addition to keeping breath fresh, it can assist in cleaning teeth by flushing them with saliva production. This helps to remove larger food particles as well as neutralize the acid, although brushing is still required for a proper cleaning of false teeth.
Another benefit of chewing gum is that it helps strengthen the jaw muscles. For denture wearers, gum has historically been an issue because of how it can stick to dental work. That is no longer the case with more than one brand promoting itself as being a denture chewing gum.
While it is always wise to select a sugar-free chewing gum, Freedent is a familiar brand first introduced by Wrigley in 1975. Freedent is a non-stick chewing gum for dentures and is available in three different flavors including Peppermint, Spearmint, and Winterfresh.
To Learn More About Getting Used To Dentures
There are many valuable resources available to you through your dentist’s office to help you get used to wearing false teeth. You can also find material, tips, and suggestions with simple online searches.
For one person’s perspective on their transition to wearing dentures, make sure you have a look at the short YouTube video below…
Conclusion
The important thing to keep in mind with a new set of dentures is that you will be able to speak, eat and smile as before, but a little patience may be required until you get used to them.
In fact, maybe the dentures have even improved your smile. Your self-confidence will also increase telling you that getting false teeth was a good decision to make.
I like how you mentioned that dentures will take a little time to get used to. My wife plans to get dentures. We will need a dentist to help us out if my wife has sensitive gums and to provide advice after she gets them.
I went to the dentist yesterday and got all my teeth pulled. They were supposed to put dentures in while my gums healed but they would not stay in. They were way too big for my mouth and after a few adjustments still awful, crooked and the adhesive would not stick. He then said I can keep the dentures out a few days and he will have the teeth remade. So now pain galore and liquids. They did not say to rinse with saline just water. I am going back tomorrow to make sure I’m healing ok but they better not want me to put those huge crooked dentures in.. I am thinking I made a mistake and its very upsetting.
Hi Casy
Thank you for sharing your story and I am sorry to hear that you have already had problems. Hopefully, the dentist will be able to have the dentures remade for you so that they will be a much better fit.
With well-fitting dentures and after some time for you to heal as well as get used to the new dentures, they should give you much more confidence and after a while, you won’t even notice them. But it will take a little while – even if everything goes to plan.
I really hope that it works out for you. Please keep us updated with how it all goes.
All the very best.
Jade
3 weeks ago today got all my teeth pulled, i always had such beautiful teeth and still looked like i did but my medication was causing them to rot so the writing was on the wall, suffer with tooth aches and get pulled as needed or bite the bullet and do it all at once. OMG i thought i would die, i came home from hospital with my dentures in, but omg hurt so bad i had to take out, went to denturist next day and he said ya keep out for a few days so i went back the following week he did a soft relign now i am on 3 weeks and i am actually starting to think i may be able to handle this, i have stopped gagging, even almost stopped lisping, the pain is much better and all the bruising and black eyes are gone…..still cant bite anything so on soft foods, but hey my smile is fantastic, now……my next question can i french kiss in these things and will my partner know i have dentures???
Hi Michele
Thanks for your comments. Sorry to hear that getting your dentures has been a difficult experience. I know many people underestimate the recovery… but if you can stick with it, it will be worth it. What you have been through is quite a big dental procedure, so I am glad that you seem to be coming out the other side and things are settling down, so hopefully things will continue to improve for you.
Regarding kissing with dentures, yes you can. Like your journey so far, it may take a little getting used to, but given a little time, it should be fine. I have written more on this topic, so please check it out here.
Thanks again, and all the best.
Jade
Hi, I am 40 so having to have all my teeth removed was horrific. The oral surgeon did a great job and there was hardly any pain. Although my body, from Fibromyalgia, took weeks to heal. Now I’ve had the temporaries and it’s horrible. They look very, very nice. But the second I put in the top ones, instant dry, chapped lips. I slather them with any chapstick I can get and they are still irritated. I think it’s because the gums in the front are a little thick.
Also, my tongue will NOT calm down. It has been over a month, and my tongue keeps exploring the roof of my mouth reminding me there is that horrible plastic. And there are small “wrinkles” that formed on the bottom of my lips where the lower dentures go. If I put them in they go away a bit, but he is re-doing the temp. lower ones, I am afraid these lines will become permanent. I am furious! Please help with any of these problems. Thank you.
Hi Khaila
Thanks for your comments and I am sorry to hear that the whole process has not been as smooth as you may have liked.
Unfortunately, I did not have any of the issues that you have mentioned with my false teeth. You may want to get a second opinion from another dentist to see if they can offer some other advice or notice something different.
I appreciate that this must be a difficult situation. We go into dental procedures like this with the hope that things will improve, not get worse. These things do take time though, so hopefully you can get the help you need and things will settle down so that you are comfortable with your new dentures and you won’t even notice them and you can enjoy life.
Please keep us posted, and I wish you all the best.
I only have a partial top plate. The teeth seem to be fine, but the root of my mouth when eating is very bad, it seems like it is too thick at the root of my mouth and the front teeth are too short with not enough room to raise the plastic up, and lengthen it so that I can eat without gagging when eating, and feeling like my mouth is so heavy when chewing, I simply lose my appetite and am always hungry. When back to the dentist and he said if he shaves it down it will be too thin, around the gum is too thick my mouth protrudes that is also too thick.
Any suggestions for what shall I do?
Muriel
Hello Muriel
Thank you for sharing your situation. It must be very frustrating… especially when you talk to someone who you think should be able to help but instead walk away without any answers that can improve the situation.
I have not experienced issues like this, therefore can’t offer any direct advice. The only thing I can suggest is that it may be worth getting another opinion. Do some research on the best false teeth dentists in your area and consider making an appointment with someone else. They may be able to provide you with an alternative solution that could be of assistance.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you go.
All the best, Muriel.
I had 21 extracted more than half were under the gum. There was no pain except the shots.
They look like my teeth they fit well, I am taking notes as to the exact locations on my dentures they are hurting so he can polish them a little. I can’t eat yet, but I’m planning on it sooner than later… good luck everyone.