Wearing dentures can improve your smile, your health, and even your quality of life. These removable dental appliances can replace missing teeth, and they often make it easier to eat and speak. However, many people find the transition to dentures awkward and a bit uncomfortable. There is often a learning curve as you and your mouth become accustomed to the device. To face the world with a confident new smile, check out our tips for wearing dentures.
Tips for Wearing Dentures
Wearing dentures can present certain challenges. Many people worry about speech issues, chewing troubles, bad breath, and oral health problems. Use the following tips for wearing dentures to avoid these common concerns.
Practice Makes Perfect
It’s not uncommon for a change in the contours of the mouth to trip up the tongue, and this can result in some pronunciation issues. While this is generally minor and tends to correct itself over time, if you’re worried about tripping over your tangled tongue, you can reduce your anxiety by practicing your speech. Grab a children’s book of rhymes or tongue twisters and read it aloud. In no time at all, you’ll be chattering away without giving your dentures a second thought.
Bite Right
Chewing with dentures isn’t quite the same as chewing with natural teeth. As you learn to eat with dentures, cut your food into smaller pieces to make chewing easier and skip foods that are especially sticky or hard. Also, make it a point to chew on both sides of your mouth so that you don’t dislodge your dentures.
Drink Up
It’s not uncommon for people who wear dentures to struggle with dry mouth. The condition is more than an inconvenience; it’s also linked with bad breath, increased decay, and gum irritation. One of the easiest ways to prevent dry mouth is to stay hydrated. However, if you are taking a medication that causes dry mouth, then you may need a little extra help. Fortunately, your dentist can provide information on more effective solutions for dry mouth, like saliva substitutes.
Take a Break
Is your mouth feeling a bit sore or irritated? Give your gums a break by removing your dentures for eight hours or so each day. Store your dentures in warm water or a liquid denture cleanser while you sleep to allow your gums to heal and keep your dentures in good condition.
Keep It Clean
Like natural teeth, dentures need daily cleaning. Keeping your dentures and your mouth clean thwarts the germs that cause bad breath and oral infections. Every evening, remove your dentures and clean them with a soft toothbrush before stowing them in a wet container. Then, use a soft toothbrush to gently cleanse your gums, brushing away any food particles that may be lingering. Many people like to finish their routine cleaning with a refreshing swish of an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Use Adhesives Appropriately
If you worry about your dentures becoming loose or falling out, there’s nothing wrong with using a denture adhesive to help keep them in place, increase your comfort, and prevent food particles from sneaking between your dentures and your gums. However, only use the right amount of adhesive. The need for extra adhesive is often a red flag for poorly fitting dentures, so have your dentist check the fit of your dentures if you find yourself getting heavy handed with denture adhesive.
Get Regular Dental Checkups
Wearing dentures does not mean waving goodbye to your dentist. If you’ve already made regular dental checkups a habit, great! If not, you need to develop this habit. A lack of natural teeth doesn’t protect you from oral infections, so visits to your dentist are crucial. Your dentist can check the health of your gums, identify and treat any irritations or infections, and check on the quality and fit of your dentures. In addition, they can answer any questions that you might have and help you with any issues that develop.
It will take a little time for you to get used to your new dentures, but there are effective strategies that can help you cope with the challenges that arise. Use our tips for wearing dentures to get started, and if you have any questions or concerns, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Speaking of which, if you’re looking for an experienced, reliable, and friendly dentist in or near Springfield, Missouri, contact Wilkinson Dental. Dr. Wilkinson and his team will give you the personalized treatment you deserve using state-of-the-art technology. Schedule your first appointment today by calling 417-708-0556 or requesting an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!