If you’re one of the 120 million Americans with one or more missing teeth, you know how nerve-racking it can be to deal with tooth loss. Not only can missing teeth take a toll on your appearance and your confidence, but the resulting change in your bite balance can wind up increasing your risks of other oral health problems, too.
Fortunately, dentures provide a time-tested solution for missing teeth, restoring your smile, your oral health, and your confidence, too.
Better still, today’s dentures are a far cry from the “false teeth” your grandparents had. Today’s dentures are lighter, more comfortable, and more natural-looking, but they can still take some time to get used to.
At Park Place Smiles, Minal Patel, DDS, helps patients in Glendora, California, enjoy all the benefits dentures have to offer. In this post, we review a few simple tips to help you adjust quickly to your new dentures, so you can smile with confidence.
At first, your dentures are going to feel a little unusual. As with braces or retainers, it takes a little time to get familiar with the way a new device or appliance feels. Until you get used to your dentures, it’s also common to feel like your dentures are obvious to everyone else, especially when you’re speaking.
The fastest way to adjust to how your dentures feel when you’re talking is to talk at home — ideally in front of a mirror. By practicing speaking — and seeing how your mouth and teeth look — you can quickly become a lot more confident. Not sure what to say? Try reading from a book or newspaper.
Dentures are designed to restore your bite balance after tooth loss, but when it comes to those first few meals, they can still take a little getting used to. To feel confident about the way your dentures perform during meals, plan to have a few meals at home before going to a restaurant with friends or family.
Ideally, you should try to incorporate different types of foods so you can see how your dentures feel with soft, crunchy, or chewy foods. Try a salad, a sandwich, soup — any food you normally have when eating at a restaurant.
Need additional confidence during the first few weeks of wear? Add a little denture adhesive for extra security when going out to eat.
Once you adjust to your dentures, you barely know you’re wearing them. But until then, it can be tempting to take them out, especially while you’re at home.
It’s important to avoid that temptation, though. You need to wear your dentures as directed to adjust as quickly as possible. Plus, regular wear helps identify potential fit issues that might need a quick adjustment.
Dentures are meant to fit comfortably and securely. If your dentures slip or if they cause any type of soreness or discomfort, call the office right away so we can adjust them.
Ignoring problems with the fit can lead to sores and infections. Having regular dental checkups also provides a great opportunity for Dr. Patel to make any necessary adjustments to your dentures.
Because of their lightweight, natural design, today’s dentures are indistinguishable from your own “real” teeth. That means no one is going to know you have a denture unless you tell them. With a little practice with your eating and speaking, you might be surprised how quickly you adjust to your new dentures and how much they improve your quality of life.
Dentures play an essential role in maintaining your oral health and improving your confidence. To learn more about dentures and how they can help you following tooth loss, call 626-226-1802 or book an appointment online with us at Park Place Smiles today.
