Many people think that dentures are uncomfortable, embarrassing, and associated with the downsides of old age. However, dental technology has advanced a long way to make dentures much more comfortable for patients now than in the past!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are a suitable tooth replacement solution for someone who has lost all of their teeth (or must have them removed) due to advanced oral disease or tooth decay. If you have lost most of or all of your teeth, you should contact Dr. Nettey-Marbell right away to see if you qualify for dentures!
What Are the Benefits of Dentures?
Dentures don’t just fill out your mouth for cosmetic reasons; they help prevent gum recession and bite misalignment. Most importantly, you can eat, talk, and smile with dentures as you would with natural teeth!
How Can I Prepare to Wear Dentures?
There are a few things you can do before you receive your dentures to ensure that they are as functional and satisfying as can be:
- Exercise Your Mouth — Exercising your cheeks by holding a big smile for ten seconds at a time will help strengthen your face muscles and make wearing dentures more enjoyable. You will also be able to eat more easily with stronger cheek muscles. This is a great activity to do in the weeks leading up to your tooth extraction and denture fitting.
- Eat Soft Foods — Take your time when it comes to eating with dentures. At the beginning, you should eat soft foods and chew carefully. After a couple of weeks, slowly incorporate harder foods into your diet as you feel more comfortable.
- Find the Right Adhesive — Adhesives are a great way to keep your dentures in place. Be open to trying different denture creams and adhesives in order to find your optimal fit. However, it is important to note that a good adhesive does not compensate for ill-fitting dentures. Our Parkside Family Dental team will be sure your dentures are a excellent fit. We also offer implant-supported dentures for a permanent hold so you don’t have to worry about adhesives!
What Happens After I Receive My Dentures?
Your new dentures will feel a little uncomfortable at first because they will suddenly give you a very full feeling in your mouth and cheeks. Gagging, slurred speech, and producing excess saliva are all common experiences when you first wear dentures. Follow these tips to ease into your new smile:
- Try wearing your dentures for just a couple hours at a time and slowly increase the time that you wear them every day. The process may feel unpleasant at first, but you will get more used to the feeling of putting them in and taking them out.
- If you develop sore spots on your gums, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water for a few days until the soreness resolves. Call us right away if your mouth pain and discomfort persists!
- Remember that it generally takes about two months to fully get used to wearing dentures.
We Are Here to Help You Smile Again!
Dr. Nettey-Marbell is committed to helping you get the smile you deserve and would be thrilled to walk you through the dentures procedure. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Do you want to restore your smile to full function and beauty?