Tips for Living Well With Dentures

For many years, denture wearers struggled along in their daily lives. Unfortunately, early designs offered a poor fit and were incredibly uncomfortable. Even when using a top-of-the-line adhesive, these often slipped or completely fell out of a person’s mouth.

Today, things are completely different and for the better.

Smart designs for dentures

The dentures that people wear today are nothing like those from years ago. For one thing, dental laboratories use a higher quality material that improves overall fit and comfort. For another thing, dentists now offer a variety of types. A dentist can even customize dentures specific to an individual’s mouth and smile.

When someone visits a dental clinic to talk about getting dentures, a dentist provides them with a ton of information. Even before ordering the dentures, the dentist goes over all the pros and cons. As part of the consultation, a dental professional also provides the patient with tips on how to get the most out of wearing dentures. By the time a person gets fitted, they know the right and wrong things to do.

Brushing dentures

Just like natural teeth, an individual must take proper care of dentures. That means brushing them at least twice a day, preferably, three times to prevent a buildup of plaque. Although plaque on dentures does not pose any risk for developing tooth decay, it can still cause problems with the gums and lead to bad breath. When brushing, a denture wearer should also gently brush the gums to remove any food particles, bacteria, and plaque.

Learning to speak

After first getting dentures, most people struggle to speak clearly. Initially, words come out with a slight lisp. Although discouraging for some, denture wearers simply need to practice to relearn how to speak as before. Fortunately, this does not take long to master.

Avoiding slippage

Slipping dentures is probably one of the most embarrassing things a person can experience. This can happen in the middle of a meal, during a cough, or even when laughing. The key to keeping them firmly in place is to use a strong and long-lasting adhesive. In some cases, an individual would qualify for snap-in dentures, which stay in place with metal pieces. However, if someone has an issue with slippage, they can bite down on the dentures and swallow. Usually, that corrects the problem.

Practice eating

Even eating is different with dentures compared to natural teeth. Just as with speaking, this takes a little bit of time to get used to. For a few weeks, a new denture wearer might consider practicing at home with different foods. That way, when it is time to go out to eat with family, friends, or a significant other, there is no risk of embarrassment.

Contact your dentist with any concerns

If you have any issues with your dentures, you want to contact your dentist right away. A quick examination would reveal anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes, dentures need tweaking to correct the fit. Other times, although rare, a portion of the dentures can develop a crack. Regardless, if your dentures stop feeling comfortable for any reason, do not hesitate to have them checked.