Taking care of your Denture

This information sheet will assist you with your adjustment to new
dentures. The adjustment period can last anywhere between a few weeks to few
months depending on: the type of denture you receive, your dental history, and
other factors.

1) ADAPTATION PERIOD: Most new dentures require a breaking in period
before they become comfortable. This length of time varies with each individual
patient depending upon their ability, determination, and perseverance to learn
how to use them. First, you must learn to keep them in place, and then gradually
begin to use them.

2) WHAT TO EXPECT:
At first, it’s normal to feel awkward with your new dentures.Your appearance
will probably undergo a slight change, your speech may seem altered, and some
areas of your mouth may feel too full. You may also experience excess saliva
initially until your mouth is used to wearing dentures. Time, patience, and some
training will soon bring about a relaxation of the facial muscles and begin to
alleviate some of the apparent problems.
The denture might feel bulky but patient should not worry about that; inform the
dentist about the same in next follow-up appointment.

3) SORE SPOTS:
Soreness from uneven pressure on the gums may develop at any time. This is not
unusual and should be expected, especially if you have not worn a denture before.
Sore spots are best corrected if the dentures are worn for at least 3-6 hours before
returning to the office for an adjustment appointment. This will allow a more precise
detection of the offending areas inside the denture, which are corrected by trimming.

4) SPEAKING:
Learning to talk with your new dentures in place requires some patience and
perseverance. Reading aloud is a very good way to learn to enunciate distinctly,
especially those sounds or words that are not clear. Try to avoid any movements of
the lips and tongue that tend to displace the dentures or cause them to click. Careful
practice and repetition may help to hasten the process and produce a return to your
normal, confident speech.

5) EATING:
Start with soft foods. Take small bites, chew slowly and try to overcome the
difficulties as they arise. Keep the food distributed evenly on both sides and chew on
the back teeth. To bite foods that normally require the front teeth, such as apples or
corn on the cob, apply pressure backwards against the front when closing. If the
denture begins to dislodge, biting with the side teeth may be an easier alternative.
More difficult foods such as steak and carrots will require a gradual learning curve.
Initially, it is recommended that you avoid eating sticky, hard, or chewy foods.

6) LOOSENESS:
If you have had teeth removed immediately prior to placement of the denture, it
will soon feel loose, mainly due to the gum shrinkage that occurs as the gums heal.
Complete healing of the gums and the underlying bone takes many months.
During this period, denture adhesives will help to retain a loose denture, once
healing is complete, a permanent reline will be needed. In some cases, a new
denture may need to be made for the best fit and function. There will be an
additional charge for any necessary future denture relines or replacements.

7) MOUTH AND DENTURE HYGIENE:
It is extremely important to clean your dentures with a soft brush, a cleaning paste,
or soapy water after each meal. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or bleach.
Food particles that are trapped under the denture can cause inflammation of the
gums and sore spots. Remove your dentures and rinse your mouth with water or
mouthwash after each meal, if possible.
If you had teeth removed immediately before insertion of your new denture, wear
your denture day and night for the first 48 hours, removing only to clean them. Your
denture will act as a bandage and promote healing.
You should remove your dentures for at least 6 hours daily, usually when going to
bed at night, to give your gum tissues a rest. During this time, the dentures can be
cleansed and placed in a small tub of water to prevent them from drying out which
can cause the denture to distort and not fit well.
At least once a week, place them in an enzymatic or special denture cleaning
solution to remove those otherwise insoluble stains and proteins. Because foods will
stick to the soft tissues of your mouth, it is also beneficial to brush the roof of your
mouth and your tongue daily. Massaging and stimulating these tissues will reduce
the incidence of inflammation and sore spots

8) BREAKAGE:
Dentures are made of acrylic (plastic) material and can break easily when misused
or dropped. Never wrap your denture in a tissue or napkin and put it in your pocket
or purse. When going outside of the house, keep a denture case or container to stow
away your denture safely if you need to remove it for a short period of time. At
home, keep your denture in a tub of water to prevent warping

9)FOLLOW-UP:
Be sure to have your dentures checked at least once annually as changes in the
mouth, such as, bone loss, and wearing of the teeth will inevitably occur. When
supporting gums and bone change, causing your denture to become loose or
uncomfortable, your denture may need to be adjusted, relined or replaced. Making
sure careful maintenance of the dentures and the supporting soft tissues will help to
slow down these changes.