How to Get Used to Wearing Dentures

If you’ve recently lost one or more teeth, our dentist may recommend dentures. We can help you with the transition into wearing dentures. Dentures are prosthetic teeth that can help you regain your smile and improve your daily life.

If you’re new to dentures, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to make a smooth transition.

Don’t Let Dentures Dry Out

When your dentures aren’t in your mouth, they should be submerged in a glass of water or cleanser. While natural teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, you’ll need to make sure you never let your full or partial dentures dry out lest they crack and warp.

Brush Your Dentures

Brush denture teeth like you would natural ones. If you have partial dentures, you’ll need to make sure you also take care of the remaining teeth in your smile by brushing twice a day and flossing once daily.

If you don’t brush your dentures, bacteria will build upon the surface and give you bad breath. Neglecting denture care can also discolor or stain your false teeth. Our dentist will make sure you understand how to care for your new dentures before leaving our office so you can take control of your oral health.

Line the sink with a towel when you’re cleaning your dentures. That way, you’re less likely to break your dentures if you drop them by accident.

Brush Your Gums

Even if you have full dentures, it’s important that you brush your gums. Otherwise, food particles and plaque will build upon the surface of your gums and increase your risk of gingivitis. While gingivitis is reversible, the same can’t be said once it progresses into periodontitis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontitis. Don’t be one of them. Since your dentures sit on top of your gums, you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid gingivitis and periodontitis. We recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles to help stimulate gums and keep them healthy.

Practice Speaking Out Loud

Talking with a lisp is normal while getting used to new dentures. It will take some time for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to get used to speaking around a new oral appliance. We recommend keeping a running list of words that give you difficulty. Later, you’ll be able to practice these words so you can get used to speaking while wearing dentures.

Once you get used to your full or partial dentures, the lisp will disappear. We recommend reading out loud from one of your favorite books in the meantime.

Correct Slipping Dentures

Your dentures will slip occasionally when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or smile. When you feel your dentures slipping, gently bite down and swallow. Doing this will help you discreetly adjust your dentures while in public.

If you notice your dentures slipping more than usual, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible. We’ll be able to adjust the fit of your dentures so they look natural and fit comfortably.

Take Out Your Dentures at Night

It’s important that you take out your dentures at night so your gums have a chance to rest and recover. Gums help support any remaining natural teeth in your mouth.

But even if you don’t have any natural teeth left, your gums are still vital to your oral health. For example, you want your dentures to be supported by pink healthy gums.

Learn More About Wearing Dentures

Don’t suffer in silence if your dentures don’t fit exactly right. Our dentist would be more than happy to adjust the fit of your dentures so they rest comfortably in your mouth. We want to make sure that you’re happy with your new dentures. After all, full and partial dentures are supposed to improve your quality of life so you can eat, talk, and smile with confidence.

Dr. Brenton Habecker can help you explore your tooth replacement options, including dentures. To schedule your appointment with our dentist in Holland, MI, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524.

This blog post has been updated.