Tips for Getting Comfortable With New Dentures
Dentures are great but adjusting to them can take some time. If you’re new to them or have just gotten a new set recently, there are several things you can do to get comfortable with them faster and make sure they fit properly in your mouth. Here are some tips to help you feel at home with your new teeth!
Commit to using them
The first step to feeling comfortable with your new teeth is making sure you use them all the time. When you take out your teeth and leave them in a cup or on a table, your brain doesn’t register that they are missing. It helps to create a routine so that you don’t forget your dentures.
Eat softer foods
Chewier foods—like steak and other red meats—may take some getting used to, especially if you’re new to artificial teeth. Start by eating softer foods, like bananas or mashed potatoes. Your jaw muscles will get used to chewing food again, and you’ll have an easier time when tackling more difficult foods down the road.
Wash them thoroughly at least once a day
The first and most important thing you can do to get comfortable with dentures is to wash them every day. If you want your new artificial teeth to feel like they’re a part of your mouth, you’ll need to help that process along by ensuring that they are clean and clear of bacteria. Otherwise, they’ll start feeling more like something outside of your mouth rather than an extension of it.
Keep food from getting stuck
Give yourself a little more time to adjust to your new teeth by avoiding foods that tend to get stuck in your teeth. Hard or sticky candies and nuts can cause trouble, as can any food that makes you clench your jaw or press down with your tongue. This is uncomfortable on its own, let alone when you have a new set of artificial teeth.
Use ice packs if soreness persists
Soreness is common when new teeth are first placed, and although it will lessen over time, there are some things you can do to ease discomfort. The first tip is simple: apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a damp cloth) on your cheek where your denture rests. The cold will numb that area and help reduce soreness. Some denture wearers find that soaking their mouth in warm saltwater helps relax muscles and relieve swelling.
Give yourself time to adjust
If you want to feel comfortable with your new teeth, make sure you put them in your mouth every time you eat. It may feel a little awkward or even painful at first, but after just a few days, that will go away. After enough use, you’ll grow accustomed to them, and they’ll become part of your daily routine.
Adjusting to a new set of teeth takes time and can sometimes be painful. If you follow these tips, you’ll get comfortable with your new teeth in no time! After all, it is possible to adjust—you need to do it slowly. Be patient and be kind to yourself.
Call your dentist
If you have followed some of these tips but are still struggling with how your dentures feel, contact your dentist. Sometimes the help of a professional can quickly identify the underlying issues and figure out the best approach to solving them. Additionally, because your dentures and gums are adapting, frequent adjustments may be necessary. Call your dentist today to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.novelsmiles.com or call Novel Smiles at (703) 942-8882 for an appointment in our McLean office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dentures in McLean, VA.
Related Posts
Tooth loss can hurt one’s smile as well as the ability to eat or speak. With implant-supported dentures, the entire look of the smile can be transformed, and individuals can enjoy more freedom with food choices. These dentures are long-lasting and have a positive impact on oral and emotional health.Dentures are a dental tool for…
When you begin wearing dentures, you may experience discomfort for a short period while you are adjusting. However, this process does not have to be complicated. There are many ways to make the adjustment more manageable and more enjoyable.Here are three reasons you can easily get through the first few weeks of wearing dentures.If you…
Many people get dentures because they believe that missing a tooth is not appealing from a cosmetic standpoint. Missing teeth can also be detrimental to your oral health. This is why dentures are necessary to replace teeth, among other options. The dentist will go through the various alternatives with you. Regardless, you should always try…
Implant supported dentures are hybrid restorations that combine dental implants with dentures as a solution for missing teeth. Traditional dentures are the most economical way to replace missing teeth, but these devices are prone to shifting in the mouth. This can lead to sores forming inside the cheeks and the dentures falling out when eating…