Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a new denture wearer – what should I expect?
With new dentures, you may experience a variety of temporary effects ranging from interference with speech to an inability to chew, loss of appetite, or slight pain.
Be assured that an adjustment period to new dentures is quite normal and expected, and that all of these troubles have been experienced and overcome by many other denture patients.
During this adjustment period (up to six months after denture insertion), you are still under the treatment of your denturist. The length of this period will vary according to your mouth conditions, general state of health, age, and ability to adapt to new conditions. As needed, your denturist can examine the fit and function of your dentures and the degree of harmony with your natural jaw movements.
Please remember that your denturist would not send you home with new dentures unless he or she was satisifed that they fit you properly. In time and with consistent use, your dentures will fit comfortably and function well.
Common conditions during the adjustment period
1. Nausea
Patients who suffer from this condition normally do so because they are nervous. Rest assured that the feeling will soon pass. Keep your dentures in your mouth and, if possible, hold a piece of hard candy (lime or peppermint are particularly helpful) in your mouth. If this feeling persists for two days or more, call your denturist for an appointment.
2. Feeling of fullness in the mouth
As you have introduced a foreign body into your mouth (the new denture), this temporary condition is perfectly natural. As you adjust to your new dentures, this feeling of fullness will pass.
3. Speech difficulties
Trouble speaking may be caused by the presence of foreign material in the mouth, and patience is necessary during the adjustment period as your mouth and tongue adjust to the new dentures. Your speech can be improved considerably if you take some time to read aloud, paying special attention to your pronunciation and repeating words that you have difficulty saying clearly.
4. Facial expression
Your expression may seem slightly altered at first, but your facial muscles and lips will soon relax to their natural position.
5. Feeling of looseness
As you adjust to your dentures, your tongue and cheek muscles will attempt to repel them as they would any foreign body, and these efforts may result in a sensation of loose dentures. In time and as the dentures settle into place, these muscles will stop trying to expel your dentures and aid in holding them in place. At this time you will notice a definite improvement in the fit. During the adjustment period, close your mouth and lips and suck gently on your dentures to overcome this feeling of looseness.
6. Excessive saliva production
Your saliva glands naturally become overactive when any foreign body is placed in the mouth. In the beginning, your dentures will be recognized by the mouth as a foreign body, but in a few days will be accepted as a normal presence. Any excessive salivation will decrease to normal amounts within a few days.
7. Soreness
The tissues of your mouth are among the most sensitive of your body and some time may pass before they become completely adjusted to the presence of your new dentures. During this time, it is normal to experience some mild discomfort.
However, sore spots occasionally develop and these must be corrected by your denturist. Many patients require follow-up visits for denture adjustments during the first few weeks, so be assured this is a very common and expected experience.
In the event that you experience soreness, chafing, or other discomfort, you must NEVER attempt to alter or adjust your dentures yourself. Your denturist is specially trained to locate and fix such problems and is the only person who should ever adjust your dentures. Please note that although we guarantee our work for six (6) months after the initial insertion, this guarantee is void for anyone who adjusts, grinds, shaves down, or otherwise adjusts their own denture.
8. Function or chewing ability
Before you begin to chew with your new dentures, it is wise to be fully adjusted to all other phases. If you do not wait until your dentures are comfortable before you use them to chew you will be disappointed with the results. Once you begin to use your new dentures to chew, try to be persistent and patient with the rate of your progress. Begin with very small bites of soft food and chew very softly. In biting into harder foods such as apples or carrots, try pressing smaller pieces against your front teeth and simultaneously breaking the food off by twisting your hand.
To keep your lower denture in place as much as possible while chewing, try:
a) using an up-and-down chewing motion, keeping side-to-side jaw movements to a minimum
b) placing small portions of food on both sides of your mouth at the same time
c) limiting your tongue movements until your chewing efforts become efficient
At first, smaller particles of food may get under your dentures, but in time this condition will correct itself.