Quick Tips for Managing Your Dentures
Learning to live with dentures is not difficult, but it does take some adjustment on the part of the denture wearer. It's important to remember that dentures are not real teeth and it may take some added care to ensure they work well and are always in good condition. Note a few quick tips for managing your dentures and keeping them comfortable and usable.
1. Chewing
You may need to practice chewing with new dentures and start with soft foods that you can chew easily. Once you've become accustomed to dentures, chew with both sides of your mouth so they don't tip or slide as easily. Avoid sticky foods no matter how long you've had your dentures as these foods can pull dentures off to one side and cause them to slip.
2. Talking and laughing
If you notice that your dentures slip during talking or laughing, you may want to practice with them privately until you learn to keep them in place. Certain words may be more challenging than others, and if you tend to laugh very enthusiastically, this can cause the dentures to slip. If this happens, bite down on them gently and swallow. This can help the dentures to slide back and to stay in place.
3. Ill-fitting dentures
If you notice that your dentures no longer fit your gum line as they should, this is to be expected. The jaw line changes with age so that dentures need to be readjusted over time. However, don't try to adjust them yourself. While dentures are somewhat soft so that they can fit comfortably over the gums, adjusting them is not like bending a piece of putty. Dentures can easily break and snap if not adjusted properly, and trying to do this by hand is often ineffective as they need to curve around your gums precisely in order to fit. Have an expert like the Denture Doctor readjust your dentures for you instead.
4. Signs of infection
Some denture wearers may be more prone to oral infections, so it's good to know the symptoms of these and see your dentist at their first sign. These symptoms can include red bumps or inflammation of the mouth as well as cracking at the corners of the mouth. If you notice these or feel any type of acute pain when wearing your dentures, visit your dentist. Even if you don't have an infection, you may need a readjustment or may be having a reaction to the materials used to make your dentures or the adhesives you're using as well.
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