Having dentures fitted for the first time may feel like a daunting experience. Our patients often have lots of questions for our clinical dental technicians, which we’re always happy to answer. We’ve brought some of them together in this article to help give you the information you need if you’ve been advised to have new dentures, along with some helpful advice and tips.
How long does it take to get used to new dentures?
When they’re first fitted, your new dentures will probably feel strange and not like your natural teeth. There will also be some pain and swelling from your tooth extraction, which will take some time to subside. Things will get easier over time and in most cases, people will have become used to their new dentures around a month after they’ve been fitted. The process can sometimes take a little longer, but your dentist will be there to support you.
What happens when I wear my new dentures for the first time?
For the first 24 hours, you’ll need to keep your dentures in all the time, including overnight. This is because they’ll help protect the extraction sites and reduce bleeding from your gums. Your dentist will give you painkillers and antibiotics to help you feel more comfortable and promote healing. After the first 24 hours, you’ll be advised to remove your dentures when you go to bed, as this will give your mouth and gums a rest and help them to recover.
Can I expect any problems as a first-time denture user?
There are some common issues that our patients tend to encounter when they first start using dentures. These include:
Denture sores
Aside from the soreness caused by your extraction, you may find that your new dentures cause sore spots in your mouth in the first couple of weeks. You may also notice that you’re producing more saliva. This is completely normal and after a fortnight or so, should start to get better.
Eating with dentures
Eating with dentures is totally possible, but some patients find eating more difficult when they first have dentures fitted, partly because of the soreness in their mouth.
Because of this, we recommend you stick to soft foods, cut up into small pieces if appropriate, for the first two to three weeks after your dental surgery.
Foods like soup, cottage pie, risotto and instant whip are ideal.
Talking with dentures
You may find that you talk with a slight lisp after having your new dentures put in or have difficulty pronouncing certain letters or words.
However, practice makes perfect in this instance. The more you keep talking whilst using your dentures, the easier it will become.
Make a list of the letters and words you’re struggling with and keep working at them. Reading aloud will help, too.
Changes in the fit of your dentures
After dental surgery, your mouth will be swollen and as your gums heal, they’ll contract.
This means you’ll probably need to come back to our surgery a couple of times within the first two weeks of having them fitted, so they can be adjusted.
Over time, the fit might alter due to changes in your gum tissues, or just because of wear and tear. If this happens, you can make an appointment at our clinic to have your dentures adjusted so they fit comfortably.
Our clinical dental technicians can offer you help and advice on how to deal with all these problems effectively.
How do I clean my dentures and how often?
Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be kept clean. You’ll need to brush them twice a day to remove food debris and any plaque and to keep them smelling fresh. Overnight, or at other times when you’re not wearing them, pop your dentures into a glass of water to stop them from drying out. You can also use a special denture cleansing solution to give them a thorough clean. We can recommend and supply suitable products for you to use.
Denture dos and don’ts – a quick guide
Looking after your dentures properly helps them last longer and keeps your mouth healthy.
Here are some quick denture care tips you can follow to help make the process easier:
Do:
- Brush your dentures twice a day using a soft brush and denture cleaner
- Rinse them after eating to remove food particles
- Soak them overnight in water or a denture cleaning solution
- Handle them carefully to avoid cracks or chips
- Visit your dental technician for regular denture check-ups and adjustments
Don’t
- Use toothpaste – it can be too abrasive for dentures
- Sleep in your dentures (unless advised to during the first 24 hours)
- Use excessively hot water to clean them, it can cause warping
- Try to adjust or fix broken dentures yourself. Speak to a professional!
- Ignore any discomfort – always get in touch for advice
Got other questions about new dentures?
If so, the clinical dental technicians at First Class Denture Clinics will be pleased to help.
Please book a free denture consultation, call us on 0115 646 2023, or contact us online with your queries.
You can also read about all our different denture types and costs, as well as our denture consultation process at our website.
We also have a helpful blog explaining the process of getting new dentures, if you’re looking for a more in-depth look at the process from start to finish.