What to Expect When You're Expecting New Dentures

How exciting it is to start the new year with new teeth! If you are someone who is excitedly awaiting the arrival of their new dentures, you know that the countdown is on until they arrive. However, life with new dentures does take a little getting used to. So that you are not taken completely by surprise once they appear, here are three differences you will experience once you start wearing your new dentures.

A Difference in Chewing

When you chew food with natural teeth, you use your jaw pressure to bite down on the food and chew it apart with your teeth. There is no movement in your teeth when you do this. When you first start wearing your dentures, they behave slightly differently from natural teeth because dentures can subtly shift in your mouth. The best way to practice chewing food is to focus on soft foods for the first few weeks of denture wear. Aim to spread the food out evenly in your mouth before you start to chew, rather than just chewing with your front teeth. If you chew with only your front teeth, the denture can become unstable and tilt forward from the back. If you chew with all your teeth, then the denture remains stable and does not shift.

A Difference in Speaking

When you first start to wear your new dentures, you may notice that it sounds like you are speaking with a lisp. This is because your facial muscles and your tongue must adjust to a new way of moving with the dentures in place. While the dentures are moulded to replicate your natural teeth, there is a minimal shape difference compared to what was there before. Therefore, it will take a few weeks for your mouth to get used to the new shape. One way to make sure your denture is in place before you speak is to gently bite down on it. This sets it in place before you start to form your words. With practice, you will eventually stop noticing the speaking difference.

A Difference in Cleaning

Gone are the days when the whole family can share a tube of toothpaste, because natural toothpaste is too abrasive for your dentures. Instead, you must start a new cleaning regimen which only applies to your dentures. You can purchase a denture brush and denture cleaner at your local chemist. After you clean it, the denture soaks overnight in a special solution which you can also purchase there. Soaking the denture in a liquid not only stops it from drying out, but it also reduces the chance of bacteria growing on it.

Talk to your dentist about any other denture service concerns you have. They want to make this experience a positive one for you.


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