New Denture
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed
to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and
tongue learn to keep them in place. You may also occasionally bit your tongue
or cheek until you get use to have these spaces filled. Your tongue may
feel restricted and want to play with the new denture but it will adjust
to its presence.
It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find
that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to
the dentures, these problems should diminish. One or more follow-up appointments
with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted. If any
problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult
your dentist.
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Adjusting
The early weeks of denture wearing can be quite a challenge sometimes as
you adjust to them. A lower denture usually takes more time to adjust
to than an upper denture.
In addition to trying other brands or amounts of adhesive, you may try
various finger positions and ways to dislodge your denture (ie- try pulling
on only the left or right side of the denture to remove it). Also try placing
your thumb against the front teeth and press upward and outward toward
our nose.
Another often useful trick is to place a finger inside each of your cheeks
and pull out and laterally (so that you look like a chipmunk!). This stretches
your cheek muscles and may break the seal of your denture. Soon you will
be able to place and remove your denture without even thinking about it.
To remove lower denture, slowly pull on the denture while applying a rocking
motion.
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Eating will take a little
practice. To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft,
or liquid diet with easy to chew foods. As you become accustomed to chewing,
add other foods until you return to your normal diet.
Cut into small pieces. It may be helpful to chew off bits of food from
the side, rather than directly from the front. Chew slowly using both sides
of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping.
Eat slowly and deliberately by placing even amounts of food on both sides
of your mouth while you are chewing so as to balance biting forces which will
keep more denture stable while chewing. The longer you take to eat your meals,
the more success you will have at learning to eat with your new dentures.
Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. Avoid
sticky or hard foods.
Try drinking plenty of fluids at each meal.
Rinse your denture and your gums after each meal to decrease irritation
from bacteria. It reduces staining, bad breath and irritation.
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Speaking
Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud or in
front of a mirror and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures "click" while
you're talking, speak more slowly.
It can take 2-6 weeks to learn how to speak with them.
You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough
or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If
a speaking problem persists, consult your dentist.
Your dentist will provide instructions about how long dentures should be
kept in place. During the first few days, you may be advised to wear them
most of the time, including while you sleep.
After the initial adjustment period, do not wear dentures at night. The
gum tissue needs to rest and to allow normal stimulation and cleansing by
the tongue and saliva in order to promote better long term health of your
gums.
Generally, it is not desirable that the tissues be constantly covered by
denture material.
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| Denture
adhesive can
provide additional retention for well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives
are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture,
which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the
development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced.
If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, consult
with your dentist immediately. |
To store
Dentures are very delicate and may break if dropped even a few inches.
Stand over a folded towel or a basin of water when handling dentures.
When you are not wearing them, store your dentures away from children
and pets.
Dentures may lose their shape if they are allowed to dry out. When they
are not worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution
or in water. Your dentist can recommend the best method. Never place dentures
in hot water, which could cause them to warp.
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Cleaning
Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food deposits
and plaque. Brushing helps prevent dentures from becoming permanently
stained and helps your mouth stay healthy. It's best to use a brush designed
for cleaning dentures. A toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used.
Don't use alcohol, abrasive cleaners, bleaches, whiteners they may scratch
the surface of the denture and harsh products like bleach which will turn
the pink parts of your denture white.
Do not use boiling water, dishwasher or microwave to clean or soak your
denture because it will warp them.
Some denture wearers use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid, which
are both acceptable for cleaning dentures. Avoid using other powdered household
cleansers, which may be too abrasive. Also, avoid using bleach, as this
may whiten the pink portion of the denture.
When cleaning your dentures place a clean wash cloth in the sink and
cover it with lukewarm water. Use a denture brush, brush the denture or
partial under the water to prevent the splashing of food and plaque. The
wash cloth may prevent the denture from breaking if it is accidentally dropped.
The first step in cleaning dentures is to rinse away loose food particles
thoroughly. Moisten the brush and apply denture cleanser. Brush every surface,
scrubbing gently to avoid damage.
If you wear a partial denture make sure to clean the area around the
clasps, as trapped food particles and bacteria may cause these abutment
teeth to be more susceptible to decay.
After you brush your denture you can place them in a soaking solution
overnight to keep them moist and clean.
Ultrasonic cleaners are also used to care for dentures. However, using
an ultrasonic cleaner does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
Soak dentures in 50% vinegar/50% water to inhibit fungus growth. A little
better alterative is Aloe Vera gel. This can also be used with a soft liner.
Place a small amount of the gel in the denture once or twice a day. Taste
is so so and it won't hurt if you swallow some. Aloe Vera is a pretty good
antifungal.
Rinse your denture after every meal .
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Repair
Remember Do Not Make Adjustments or Repair Yourself! You can seriously
damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair
your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation
and sores.
See your dentist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the
teeth becomes loose.
Scratched dentures will harbor plaque and bacteria which causes bad odours.
A dentist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the
same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct
the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause
problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful
chemicals and should not be used on dentures.
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Replacing.
Over time, dentures
will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear. To reline
or rebase a denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and
refits the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may need to
be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant
wear. Dentures become loose because a mouth naturally changes with age.
Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently.
Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures
can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture
also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It's
important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.
Remember a new denture should be made about every 5-7 years or when the
dentures cannot be used comfortably.
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Daily hygiene
The resin that your denture/partial is made from has microscopic holes
that can collect food debris and /or bacteria. Dentures become contaminated
because they are in your mouth on a daily basis and sometimes worn
24/hour/day.
Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth.
Every morning and evening, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled
brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates
circulation in the mouth. Remove them when you use a mouth rinse.
Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for
maintaining a healthy mouth.
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At City
Dental Clinic we, as Your dentist, will advise
you about how often to visit. Regular dental check-ups are important.
The dentist will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to
fit properly. The dentist also examines your mouth for signs of oral diseases
including cancer.
When you first notice any signs of discomfort contact your dentist at
once. Remember to wear your denture at least two hours before your appointment
so we can "see" where the "sore spots" are located in
order to make necessary adjustments.
With regular professional care, a positive attitude and persistence, you can become one of the millions of people who wear their dentures with a smile.
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