Your First Month with Dentures: What Should You Expect?

Are you eager to get your first set of dentures? They can give you relief from many of the problems associated with tooth loss, such as embarrassment over an incomplete smile and the inability to eat a wide variety of foods. As excited as you are, though, you might still have a bit of nervousness about the road ahead. What should you expect during your first month with dentures? Are they difficult to adapt to? Dr. Makadia takes very precise measurements and impressions of your mouth while preparing the dentures, and his patients do not encounter most of the issues that are listed below.  However, the following  guide provides some practical information.

Does It Take Time to Adjust?

It is common for new dentures to feel strange and even a little uncomfortable. After all, they can rightly be considered a foreign object in your mouth! You are likely to experience increased saliva production, and your gums may be sore for some time. You might not be able to dig into all of your favorite foods on the first day.

It is important that you exercise patience. Some people get used to their dentures within a few days  to a month or so. For others, it takes them a bit longer.

Start with Soft Foods, and Eat Carefully

After you finish adjusting to your dentures, eating with them should feel like second nature. In the meantime, though, you may need to modify your diet. It would be wise to stick to soft foods. Take small bites, and distribute the food as evenly as possible between both sides of your mouth. Try to avoid placing pressure on your front teeth; instead of biting directly on your food, cut it into small pieces and move it directly to your back teeth for chewing.

You can gradually try to incorporate tougher foods into your eating plan. However, it is important to continue being cautious so you do not damage your prosthetic teeth or cause discomfort for yourself. When you get your dentures done by Dr. Makadia, he will thoroughly explain what to do.

Speaking with Dentures

Initially, speaking with dentures may be challenging. Certain sounds could be difficult to enunciate clearly. For most people, speech issues disappear with practice. Read out loud or converse with family members to get used to how your oral muscles interact with your dentures. 

Managing Discomfort

While your gums are adapting to your dentures, you might notice some soreness and swelling. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and rinsing with warm salt water may help to manage your symptoms. However, Dr. Makadia always makes sure that any sore spot is taken care of when dentures are delivered or at your follow up visit in a few days after the dentures are delivered. 

Dentures can seem a little awkward at first. Soon, though, they might just feel like a natural extension of your body! If you are still struggling with making a decision weather to get dentures or not, contact our team. Dr. Makadia and our staff will be pleased to help you in any way we can.

Meet Dr. Makadia

Dr. Makadia is a skilled and compassionate dentist with more than 30 years of experience in his field. He provides high-quality traditional dentures and other forms of tooth replacement. If you have suffered tooth loss, are not happy with your old dentures, and want to know about your next steps, he and our team would be happy to serve you. Contact Sunrise Dental Service at 631-405-4390.