Dentures are a fantastic way to restore your smile and your appearance after tooth loss. But dentures do take some getting used to, especially if you’ve got a full mouth of new teeth. In this blog from Copper Leaf Dental Co., we’ll give you a few top tips that Dr. Jordan Hebert recommends for new denture wearers in Hoover. Read on, and learn more about how to adjust to your new smile.
First, be ready for an adjustment period. It could take weeks or more than a month to feel comfortable with your dentures. You may have to make some changes to your lifestyle, and that’s okay.
It’s important to have realistic expectations, and be patient as you get used to wearing dentures. Eventually, you’ll be able to eat and speak normally, and you’ll forget you’re even wearing dentures, for the most part. But it takes time to get there.
At first, wearing your dentures can be painful or uncomfortable. So don’t feel like you have to wear them all day. Work up to it, and feel free to take breaks. Maybe you can wear your dentures for three hours at a time at first before taking a break. Then, you can work up to four, five, or six hours. You’ll eventually be able to wear them all day without feeling any discomfort.
Doing some facial exercises can help strengthen the muscles that your dentures will use. One simple exercise is to just hold an exaggerated smile for 10 seconds at a time. Ask Dr. Hebert if she has any recommendations for facial exercises, and start “working out” before you get your dentures. This will help you adjust faster.
Eating with dentures takes some getting used to. So start out with softer foods like mashed potatoes and pasta. Work your way up toward tougher foods like crusty bread and steak. These are more difficult to eat with dentures.
You also should cut these tougher foods into small pieces. Compared to natural teeth, it’s harder to bite into tough foods and rip off chunks to chew. Cutting up your food into bite-sized pieces makes it a lot easier to eat your favorite foods.
Properly-fitted dentures should fit over your gums and shouldn't move around much, even without denture adhesive. But if you want a little bit more security, you can use denture adhesive to hold your dentures in place more securely.
For example, if you want to eat a steak at a nice restaurant or you’re speaking in public, you may want to be totally sure that your dentures won’t move or feel uncomfortable. These are situations where adding some denture adhesive can boost your confidence and help your dentures stay secure.
If you’ve lost one or more teeth in Hoover, AL, full or partial dentures from Copper Leaf Dental Co. may be right for you. With dentures, you can eat normally, speak clearly, and be proud of your smile once again. Contact us online or give us a call at (205) 473-4776 to schedule your restorative dentistry consultation with Dr. Hebert, and take the first steps toward your new smile.
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