Tips for Getting Accustomed to Wearing Dentures
Posted on: 23 April 2021
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Dental problems, such as decay that has been left unfettered, physical trauma to the tooth and even poor oral hygiene, can all contribute to an increased likelihood of tooth loss. Fortunately, you do not have to go about your day without a solution. While restoration techniques like implants are available, these can be incredibly costly. A more affordable and viable option that you can choose is dentures.
Contrary to popular belief, dentures are just as appealing as your natural teeth and with the right care, it would be hard for someone to know that you are wearing them. However, to make the most of dentures, you need to adjust to them early so that you are not uncomfortable. To help you with that, here are some tips for getting accustomed to wearing dentures.
Watch what you eat
Getting dentures does not mean that you have to get on a diet for weight loss. Nevertheless, to make sure that you are taking the best care of your prosthetic teeth, you will have to eliminate some foods from your diet. Nuts, grains and seeds, for example, are a food group to avoid in the beginning since their diminutive size allows them to get in between your gum line and the dentures. Consequently, your dentures start to feel uncomfortable and if you do not get rid of the debris underneath, your gums could end up irritated and inflamed.
Another type of food that you should steer clear of if you have dentures is sticky substances. Peanut butter and some forms of candy can pull against the dentures and they can get dislodged from your gums. Not to mention that the stickiness makes the debris of these foods hard to clean off, which puts you at risk of bacteria.
Give your mouth a break
A mistake that some patients make is thinking that the best way to adjust to their prosthetics is by wearing them constantly. Hence, they make a point to not take them off until it's time for them to be cleaned. The problem with keeping your dentures on all day and night is that you are not letting your gums, and your mouth at large, rest. Since dentures are foreign objects inside your mouth, your oral tissue, muscles, tongue and more need time to get used to how they feel.
As a result, you may find that you experience soreness in your mouth, excessive pressure and, in some cases, you may even notice muscle weakness in your face, mouth and jaw. As with most other things, dentures will need some getting used to and you cannot rush this process. Therefore, it is best to adhere to your dentist's recommendations, which likely include removing these dentures overnight and soaking them in water so that they remain moist. For more information about dentures, contact a dentist.