If you’ve just received dentures to restore the gaps in your smile, you’re probably feeling pretty excited to have a full set of teeth once more. However, most patients must endure an awkward adjustment period after getting dentures that typically lasts for about a month or so. Here’s a little more about what you can expect during this process so that you can rest assured your mouth is gradually getting used to your new pearly whites.
Expect Discomfort Early On
As a general rule of thumb, most dentists tell patients receiving dentures that their adjustment period should last around 30 days, on average; however, this will vary from patient to patient. Your gums and other soft tissues must become accustomed to being in contact with the base of your artificial teeth. You’ll also likely need some adjustments to your dentures over time as your gums heal and the jawbone settles without teeth to support it. Your dentist can make these adjustments and ensure you’re as comfortable as possible while wearing your dentures.
Soft Foods Are Key
Starting with soft foods like mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, and so on can give you a chance to get used to moving your mouth while you’re wearing your dentures. Soft foods won’t put the same pressure on gums, allowing them to heal and adjust with minimal discomfort. When you’re ready to move on to tougher foods, you should cut them into small, bite-sized pieces that are easier to chew.
Certain Foods Are Off Limits
If you had braces growing up, you might remember that certain foods including sticky caramels, hard candies, and even popcorn were off-limits. Unfortunately, similar restrictions exist for patients with dentures. Biting down on these foods can not only cause your dentures to loosen, but they can also sustain damage such as unsightly chips or cracks. Even crunching on ice cubes is ill-advised.
Talking Normally Will Take Practice
One of the biggest, and sometimes most challenging, adjustments for patients with dentures is learning how to speak properly again. Not only can the dentures sometimes move around and affect speech, but they also tend to make your mouth produce more saliva than usual when they’re first being worn, which can also impact talking. It’s helpful to have a friend or family member whom you can practice conversing with. You might also practice reading things out loud.
The first month of wearing dentures is arguably the toughest; your mouth will need time to become used to the false teeth. That said, knowing what to expect and how to make things easier whenever possible will undoubtedly make things easier.