Dr. Bob’s Four Part Sermon on New Dentures
Part 1: Learning to Talk and Chew
Practice speaking out loud. Your lips and tongue
will need to learn the position of the new teeth
and gums. Even experienced denture wearers tell
me that it may take 3 weeks to become totally
familiar with their new dentures. Practice
chewing on both sides at the same time. Start
out with 2 peanuts or cashews or “goldfish”
crackers, one on each side. Gradually work up to
a handful, chewing on both sides. Be careful!
Lips, cheeks and the tongue may get in the way
at first.
Part 2: Sore Spots
Denture sores occur because your gums and bone
were not designed to support the load of a
denture. They were designed for real teeth.
However, you do have areas of the gum which can
support the denture and that’s why people can
wear dentures successfully. Areas that cannot
take the load of the denture become painful. I
can adjust those areas in the denture to take
the load off your gums. You will get nowhere
with your dentures if you have sore spots. I do
not charge for adjustments, it is part of the
process of getting used to new dentures. I do
not want you to adjust your dentures yourself.
Part 3: Do Not Use your Dentures …
For anything other that chewing and speaking!
Don’t use your dentures for biting thread or
fishing line or ice or…
Part 4: Don’t Lose Your Dentures
If you are ill, check the toilet before you
flush. Do not let a dog anywhere near dentures,
they will eat them. Do not wrap your denture in
a napkin and leave it laying around, they will
get lost or thrown away.
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"I Just Got My Dentures"
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I Just Got My Dentures- now what?
Even if you wear full dentures, you still must
take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums,
tongue and palate every morning with a
soft-bristled brush before you insert your
dentures to stimulate circulation in your
tissues and help remove plaque.What will
dentures feel like?
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.
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 our office.
Will I be able to eat with my dentures?
Eating will take a little practice. Start with
food cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using
both sides of your mouth at the same time to
prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become
accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you
return to your normal diet.
Continue to chew food using both sides of the
mouth at the same time. Be cautious with hot or
hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells.
Will dentures change how I speak?
Pronouncing certain words may require practice.
Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words
will help. 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, call our office for an adjustment.
How long should I wear my dentures?
During the first few weeks, wear them most of
the time, including while you sleep. After the
initial adjustment period, it is a good idea to
take the dentures out before going to bed. This
allows gum tissues to rest and promotes oral
health.
Should I use a denture adhesive?
Powder or cream denture adhesive can provide
additional retention for properly fitting
dentures. Try to use as little as possible. DO
NOT use denture liners like “sea-bond”, which
are strips of denture lining paper that can
change your bite or even cause premature jaw
bone loss. 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, please call us.
How do I take care of my dentures?
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,
preferably in a strong, tightly lidded
“tupperware” type container.
Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed
daily to remove food deposits and plaque. The
first step in cleaning dentures is to rinse away
loose food particles thoroughly. A toothbrush
with soft bristles can also be used. Avoid using
hard-bristled brushes that can damage dentures.
Moisten the brush and apply denture cleanser.
Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid
damage. Brushing helps prevent dentures from
becoming permanently stained and helps your
mouth stay healthy. “Whitening” toothpastes may
contain abrasives which will wear out the
denture.
Some denture wearers use hand soap or mild
dishwashing liquid, but these are “slippery” and
may make the denture difficult to hold. Avoid
using other powdered household cleansers, which
may be too abrasive. Also, avoid excessive use
of bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion
of the denture.
Look for denture cleansers with the ADA Seal of
Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been
evaluated for safety and effectiveness. Many
dentures cleaners/soaking solutions contain
detergent which can cause irritation of your
gums, so be sure to rinse the
denture thoroughly before placing it in your
mouth. When they are not worn, dentures should
be placed in water. Never place dentures in very
hot water, which could cause them to warp. Soak
the denture in a bubbly denture cleaner for 15
or 20 minutes, then gently brush with a soft
brush and denture type tooth paste. Store
in water overnight. |
