What is the Timeline for Adjusting to New Dentures?

It is not surprising that adjusting to new dentures takes a little time. After all, you have new items in your mouth, and they will at first feel a little strange. Most people have enjoyed a mouth full of teeth for many years. You will also need to become comfortable chewing foods, drinking liquids, and speaking. Fortunately, over time your dentures should feel quite normal in your mouth.

For most people, it takes about 30 days to get used to wearing dentures. Of course, some people adapt more quickly, while others take a bit longer to adjust. Since dentures are not your natural teeth, they act and feel differently than what you are used to. They also interact with your gums and other soft tissues in different ways. The experience is probably unique for each person fitted with dentures, whether it is a full or partial set.

Managing the first 30 days

Part of adjusting to new dentures is knowing what to expect and not getting frustrated. A short period of soreness and discomfort is to be expected. This means taking it slowly and heeding the advice of your dental professional. A few tips help the process along, including:

• Take a slow approach to eating at first
• Start with soft foods such as pudding
• Cut foods into small, manageable bites
• Avoid chewing with your front teeth
• Practice speaking alone or with a friend

It is even possible to bite your tongue as you get used to dentures. In some cases, the dentures could shift in your mouth and even pop out of place. This is why the use of a denture fixative is so important. Some foods may have to be eliminated from your diet. These include sticky candies, hard nuts, and snacks such as popcorn.

While eating and drinking will be among the biggest challenges, you will also want to get comfortable with speaking and smiling. No doubt, your voice will sound a little different, but you will soon get used to that. Certain sounds might be more difficult to pronounce and might require some practice. You may have to practice smiling to get used to how that feels.

Learning how to care for dentures

While dentures serve as good replacements for lost teeth, they have somewhat different handling instructions. They should still be brushed every day, but you will probably find it is easier to brush dentures while they are out of your mouth. Also, do not brush with toothpaste, as this can damage dentures.

Adjusting to new dentures also means you should take them out every night and leave them in a water solution. If they seem discolored or have a buildup of plaque, you can use a solution of vinegar and water for more vigorous cleaning.