Your New Denture

Important Information for New Denture Wearers

You may experience a variety of temporary inconveniences with your new denture.

These can range from:

• interference with speech
• inability to chew
• loss of appetite
• slight pain

Be assured that an adjustment period to new dentures is quite normal and to be expected. All of these troubles have been experienced and overcome by many other denture patients.

During this adjustment period, you will still be under the treatment of your local denture doctor. This period of adjustment is necessary for a successful outcome as your local denture doctor examines the fit and function of your dentures as they work with the natural movements of your jaw. This can take, in extreme cases, as long as 3 months. The length of this period will vary according to your mouth conditions, general state of health and age.

It is the goal of your denture doctor to send you home with new dentures that fit you properly. In time and with consistent use, you will find that your dentures will fit comfortably and function well.

Common Conditions During the Adjustment Period

• Excessive Saliva Production
  Your saliva glands naturally become overactive when any foreign body, like food, is placed in the mouth. This is a normal part of digestion. In the beginning, your dentures will feel strange, but in a few days will be accepted as a normal presence. Any excessive salivation will decrease to normal amounts within a few days.
• Facial Expression
  Your normal expressions may seem slightly altered at first. This period of adjustment will get better as your facial muscles and lips learn to relax around the new denture.
• Feeling of Fullness in the Mouth
  The new denture is at first foreign to your mouth. This temporary condition is perfectly natural. With time, this feeling of fullness will pass as you adjust to your new dentures.
• Feeling of Looseness
  As you adjust to your dentures, your tongue and cheek muscles will attempt to repel them as they would any foreign body, and these efforts may result in a sensation of loose dentures. In time, and as the dentures settle into place, these muscles will stop trying to expel your dentures and can even aid in holding them in place. At this time, you will notice a definite improvement in the fit. During the adjustment period, it might help to close your mouth and lips and suck gently on your dentures to overcome this feeling of looseness.
• Function or Chewing Ability
  As you begin to chew with your new dentures, it is wise to be fully adjusted to all other phases. Until your dentures are comfortable you may be disappointed with chewing at first. Once you begin to use your new dentures, try to be persistent and patient with the rate of your progress. Begin with very small bites of soft food and chew very softly. In biting into harder foods such as apples or carrots, try pressing smaller pieces against your front teeth and simultaneously breaking the food off by twisting your hand.
  To keep your lower denture in place as much as possible while chewing, try:
  • using an up-and-down chewing motion, keeping side-to-side jaw movements to a minimum.
  • placing small portions of food on both sides of your mouth,right and left and in the back,at the same time.
  • limiting your tongue movements until your chewing efforts become more efficient. At first, smaller particles of food may get under your dentures. In time, this inconvenience can improve.
• Nausea
  Some patients, who suffer from new denture nausea, normally do so only at the beginning. Rest assured that the feeling will soon pass. Keep your dentures in your mouth and, if possible, hold a piece of hard candy (especially lime or peppermint) in your mouth. If this feeling persists for two days or more, call your local denture doctor for an appointment.
• Soreness
  The tissues of your mouth are among the most sensitive of your body and some time may pass before they become completely adjusted to the presence of your new dentures. During this time, it is normal to experience some mild discomfort. However, as sore spots develop they must be corrected by your denture doctor. Many patients require follow-up visits for denture adjustments during the first few weeks, so be assured this is a very common and expected experience. In the event that you do develop a sore spot, call your local denture doctor to make an appointment. Until that time, it might be helpful to try to keep the dentures in your mouth as much as possible so that the sore spot will be present during your appointment. This will ensure that your denture doctor will correctly diagnose and treat the problem.
  
  In the event that you experience soreness, chafing or other discomfort, you must NEVER attempt to alter or adjust your dentures yourself. Your denture doctor is specially trained to locate and fix such problems and is the only person who should ever adjust your dentures. Just as you would not attempt to pull your own tooth , you should not try adjusting your own dentures. You may be an amateur photographer, but please don't attempt to be an amateur dentist. Please note that although we guarantee our work for six (6) months after the initial insertion, this guarantee will be void for anyone who adjusts, grinds, shaves down or otherwise adjusts their own denture.
• Speech Difficulties
  Initially, trouble with talking may be caused by the presence of a foreign object (your denture) in the mouth, and patience is necessary during the adjustment period as your mouth and tongue become accustomed to the new dentures. Your speech can be improved considerably if you take some time to read aloud, paying special attention to your pronunciation and repeating words that you have difficulty saying clearly.