6 Tips for Living With Dentures
Dentures are an amazing tool to let you get back to your daily living even after you’ve had to get your teeth removed. They let you eat, drink, and talk normally while still having the freedom to remove them whenever you want.
With that said, they are an adjustment if you’re not used to wearing them, especially after you first get them placed. Here are some of our favorite tips for living with dentures to make them more comfortable and lengthen their lifespan.
1. Brush Your Dentures
Even though your dentures can’t get cavities like real teeth, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend a few minutes each day making sure they are clean. Brushing your dentures just like you’d normally brush real teeth is an essential part of maintenance.
Plaque can still build up on your dentures, and while it won’t wear them away like the enamel on your real teeth, it can still give you some seriously bad breath. Not to mention, it can also discolor your dentures to make them look less than pearly white. Also, plaque on your dentures can still irritate your gums and lead to gum disease, which can be especially painful if you need to also support the weight of dentures.
2. Soak Them Overnight
Soaking your dentures in water or a cleaning solution overnight is beneficial for a few reasons. For one, it removes stubborn stains and plaque that might be left from brushing. But it will also protect them in the long run.
When your dentures sit out without being soaked, they can start to become dry. This leaves them more susceptible to being cracked or warped, which will make them feel even more uncomfortable the next time you place them in your mouth.
Soaking your dentures protects the dentures from damage, but it also protects your gums. It gives them a chance to rest and breathe at night, which reduces the risk of irritation or gum sores from wearing your dentures often.
3. Practice Speaker When You First Get Them
When you first get your dentures placed, be prepared for it to be a little bit of a learning curve. After all, you have an entirely new set of teeth in your mouth, so it will take a little bit of getting used to. One of the toughest parts to tackle is speaking with your new piece.
You might have a bit of a lisp when you first get them but don’t worry – this is entirely normal. It will take some time to train your muscles to get used to wearing them.
It can be helpful to practice talking in front of a mirror so you can watch yourself and retrain your tongue positioning for certain words. Also, gently bite down on your dentures before speaking to keep them from shifting as you talk, which will make it easier for you to convey what you need to say.
4. Use Adhesives
Speaking of your dentures shifting, one of the most frustrating parts of wearing dentures is how they can slip and slide around in your mouth. Conventional dentures only adhere to your gums with suction, so it’s common for them to fit improperly.
You can use denture adhesives to increase the stickiness and make it tougher for your piece to slide around while talking or eating. But even then, adhesives aren’t foolproof, and they are sometimes uncomfortable to put on.
Anchored dentures from Renew give you the security of dental implants with the flexibility of dentures, meaning that you don’t need to worry about your dentures sliding. They’re fixed in place with dental implants to keep them stable, but they’re still easily removable like regular dentures.
Our SureSNAP stabilization system is one of a kind, allowing you to have confidence that your dentures are here to stay. Schedule a consultation today to see if this revolutionary new form of dentures is right for you.
5. Brush Your Gums
Brushing your teeth is important, but many people neglect their gums when it comes to toothbrushing – even if they still have all of their real teeth. The reality is that your gums are just as susceptible to infection and disease, and outcomes like gingivitis can make your mouth feel uncomfortable.
Be sure to gently brush your gums in addition to your teeth. After all, your gums need to be healthy in order to comfortably support your dentures without irritation or sore development.
6. Watch What You Eat
Dentures let you eat and drink pretty much everything you used to, but remember that your dentures aren’t as strong as your real teeth. You want to be mindful of what you’re eating to prevent slipping.
The more you chew, the more your dentures rub up against your gums and can cause irritation. Foods that are sticky or hard to chew, like caramel or gummy candy, can be tough to consume when you’ve got dentures.
Try cutting hard-to-eat foods, like steak or apples, into smaller pieces to make them easier to chew and swallow, especially when you’re first starting out with your new dentures.
In Conclusion
Living with dentures takes a bit of an adjustment, but it’s entirely worth it in the end. By ensuring you’re taking care of your dentures and gums through cleaning, being mindful of what you eat, soaking them overnight, and using dental adhesives, you can feel confident and comfortable in your dentures no matter what.
And if you need a little extra support, anchored dentures can remove some of the hardship associated with slipping and sliding. Schedule a consultation with Renew today to see how this new treatment can completely improve your smile.
Sources:
Getting Used to Wearing Dentures | Dentures.org
