Dentures are one of the most common types of replacement teeth for adults. This removable dental prosthesis covers part or all of your gums to replace a whole row of teeth or several missing teeth. Dentures are an excellent way to restore your smile, but it will take time to get used to them.
If you’re new to dentures or anticipate using them to transform your smile and bite, here are five things to remember.
1. Types of Dentures Available
Dentures come in three varieties. Full or complete dentures cover an entire row of teeth on the upper or lower jaw to replace all of its teeth. If you’re missing a few teeth, a partial denture anchored by neighbouring teeth is what you would use.
The first two options are removable, so they may shift when you eat, talk, or chew. However, implant-supported dentures use titanium screws embedded into the jawbone to affix the dentures firmly.
2. What To Expect After a Denture Fitting
You may need to attend several appointments with your dentist after your initial denture fitting to make adjustments. The false teeth will feel strange initially, but adjustments are sometimes necessary to ensure they fit your mouth correctly.
Dentures for the top jaw stay in place using suction on the roof of your mouth. However, you might need to use denture glue to stabilise the teeth.
3. How to Eat and Chew With Dentures
Eating and chewing can feel different with dentures than with natural teeth. It can take up to eight weeks to get used to the feeling.
Dentists recommend chewing food using both sides of the mouth to prevent the prosthesis from shifting with each movement. Also, eating soft foods with your false teeth is best during your first few months as a denture wearer. Before eating hard foods like apples and carrots, cut them into small pieces and chew slowly.
4. Proper Denture Care
Proper denture care is essential for maintaining your oral health and preserving the integrity of your dental prosthesis. Unlike your natural teeth, you will not brush them daily with toothpaste. Toothpaste is too abrasive for the denture’s acrylic resin material.
Instead, you will remove the dentures from your mouth every morning and night and brush them with mild soap, water, and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Leave the dentures in a dry container overnight, and rinse them in cold water before putting them in your mouth in the morning and after meals.
5. Common Denture Complications
Dentures are highly beneficial for people with missing teeth, but wearing them sometimes produces complications. You might have pain or discomfort while you get used to wearing them. Your gum tissue could also bleed, swell, or develop an abscess due to friction and irritation.
Turn to Coast Family Dental for Your Smile Makeover
If you’d like to improve your smile with dentures, you can rely on the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Coast Family Dental in Currimundi, QLD. This family-owned local dental practice dedicates itself to providing comprehensive, high-quality family dentistry services. Contact our team online for an appointment or call (07) 5437 9000.
