ENSURING YOUr DENTURES FIT COMFORTABLY
It’s important that you feel comfortable with your dentures – they shouldn’t hold you back in any aspect of your lifestyle. If you’re wearing dentures for the first time, your gums may feel sore in that initial period – this is completely normal, and as your mouth gets used to them, this should soon fade away.
Here are some top tips to help speed up this settling-in period and help you feel more confident about your new smile:
GIVE IT TIME
Many people adjust to new dentures straight away, but for others, it can take a few months before they get used to the fit and feel. By the time of your first review visit, you will probably have been wearing the new dentures for about a week. It’s not uncommon to feel mild discomfort and experience a little difficulty when speaking whilst adapting to your dentures. But over time, your jaw and gums should adjust to the new dentures and you can get back to feeling like yourself again.
USE A DENTURE fixative
Using a denture fixative such as Polident may help you adapt more quickly to wearing your dentures. Fixatives can boost your confidence while2 eating, speaking and smiling, and form a seal1 to help prevent food getting stuck between your dentures and gums, meaning you can continue to enjoy many of your favourite meals.
CARE FOR YOUR DENTURE
Making sure your dentures are properly cared for will reduce the chance of any problems in the future. Store them overnight immersed in water in a container to prevent them from warping or losing their shape.
A thorough denture cleaning routine is important, leaving you confident of a fresh-feeling mouth.
TREAT ANY PAIN IMMEDIATELY
As you’re getting used to your new dentures, you may experience some mild discomfort, which should subside as your mouth adjusts. If your gums continue to feel sore for a prolonged period of time, your dentures may need adjusting and it is advised that you consult your dentist.
…AND WHAT IF MY DENTURE BECOMES LOOSE DOWN THE LINE?
Dentures can become loose because of general wear or bone resorption – a process which sees your mouth and jaw naturally changing over time, resulting in your denture fitting less snugly. Your dentist should be able to quickly identify and fix any problems with your dentures, so regular visits are important. Taking steps towards making sure dentures keep their comfortable fit means you can continue to go about life as normal and not let the little things get in the way.
1. Psikallis et. al, Journal of Prosthodontics (2004), 13(4), pp. 240-250
2. Hasegawa et. al., J Med Dent Sci (2003), 50(4), pp. 239-247
