You Can Smile Again
You are about to join the millions of people in this country who wear dentures. While you may have some anxiety and worry, there really are no major problems that you are likely to encounter. If you have lost some or all of your natural teeth, dentures can replace your missing teeth and improve your quality of life. There will be some minor annoyances and adjustments, but your new dentures can provide you with a healthier mouth and probably a better appearance.
Your new teeth will be as life-like as modern dentistry knows how to make them. The teeth used have been selected to match the shape, color, and size of your natural teeth. Occasionally, some changes are made to help improve your appearance. Incidentally, you shouldn’t look forward to having very white teeth. The goal is a natural look, and few people have natural teeth that are sparkling white.
Types Of Dentures?
- Conventional Complete Denture – A conventional complete denture is made and placed in your mouth after the teeth are taken our and the tissues have healed. Healing may take several months. The base of the denture rests on the gum and bone tissues of the dental ridge. A thin film of saliva holds it in place. The cheek muscles and tongue also help hold the denture in place.
- Immediate Dentures – Some patients may have the option to get immediate dentures. These dentures are made before the remaining teeth are removed. Once the denture has been made at the lab and is ready for you at the dentist’s office, the dentist removes your teeth and the denture is placed right away. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to go without teeth during the healing time. Once healing is complete, the immediate dentures usually need to be relined.
- Implant Supported Complete Dentures – A complete denture may also be attached to dental implants, which provide a more secure fit. Implants are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw. Properly placed implants make the denture stable and can help reduce bone loss. Many patients find that implant-supported dentures are more comfortable and secure than conventional dentures. They can be either removable or fixed. However, not everyone should get implants. Patients must be in good health and have enough bone to support the implants.
Getting Used To Dentures
When your new dentures are in place, your first impression will be that you have quite a mouthful. You may feel that your face looks “full” and the teeth may actually seem to be longer than they should. Your lips might seem out of place and your tongue will probably feel crowded. In addition, your salivary glands will seem to be working overtime, and you notice the increased saliva. New dentures may feel odd or uncomfortable for the first few weeks.This is normal. Keep wearing your dentures until you get used to them. The lower one may feel especially loose until the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold it in place.
You’ll find that your mouth muscles are good at adapting and they will adjust to the new surroundings. You’ll quickly learn the trick of controlling your dentures.
Be Patient
There are no lessons or books; you must simply wear your dentures constantly in order to master them. The more you want to learn, the faster and easier it will be. With daily practice, you will soon feel comfortable with your new dentures. Here are some things that can help:
- Begin by eating soft foods cut into small pieces.
- Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep the pressure even.
- Do not eat very sticky or hard foods or chew gum
Practice Talking
Some patients find it difficult to speak clearly and distinctly. Often they have a tendency to lisp because of the dentures having altered the shape of the mouth. As soon as your tongue, lips, and cheeks become accustomed, speech returns to normal. Practice talking in front of a mirror or simply reading aloud to yourself for a few minutes each day until you feel comfortable. If your dentures slip out of place when you laugh, cough, or smile, bite down and swallow to reposition them.
Do Not Wear Dentures While Sleeping
Take out your dentures at bedtime, and put them back in when you wake up. Do not wear dentures around the clock, because tissues that are covered with denture material at the time can become irritated.
Denture Adhesives
Your new dentures should fit securely, but the dentist may tell you to use a denture adhesive as you get used to wearing them. A denture that does not fit well may cause irritation, mouth sores, and infection. If your denture is loose, have your dentist check it. If you are using an adhesive, make sure you follow the instructions for use.
Caring For Your Denture
Like natural teeth, dentures require daily oral hygiene. Here are some tips to care for your dentures:
- Clean your denture each day. Take it out of your mouth and carefully rinse off loose food particles. Wet the brush and put the denture cleaner on it. Brush all the surfaces gently to keep from damaging the plastic base.
- It is best to use a special brush made for cleaning dentures, but you can use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Do not use hard-bristled brushes, because they can damage dentures.
- Your denture is very delicate and can break if dropped even a few inches on a hard surface. Stand over a folded towel or a sink filled with cool water when holding your denture.
- Keep your denture in water when you are not wearing it. Do not let it dry out or it can lose its shape.
- Let the dentist tell you how to care for your denture and if you should use a denture soaking solution.
- Rinse the denture well after using any denture cleaner. It may contain chemicals that are not intended to go into the mouth.
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Keep your denture away from curious children and pets when you are not wearing it.
Caring For Your Mouth
Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good are of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures.
This increases circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque. Eating a balanced diet is also important to keep your mouth healthy.
You will still need regular oral exams by the dentist even after you have lost your teeth. The dental office will tell you how often you should have dental visits. During a visit, the dentist will look for signs of disease such as cancer of the head and neck. Your dentist will also check to see if your dentures fit well or might need adjustments.
Denture Replacements
The normal lifetime of dentures is about 5 to 10 years, but this can vary widely depending on the patient. Over time, dentures may need relining, rebasing, or replacing. Relining is when the dentist adds new material to the underside of the denture base to fit your gums. Rebasing is when a new base is made using the existing denture as a model. The artificial teeth from the old denture are used on the new base.
The mouth changes naturally with age. Jaws may line up differently as bones and gum ridges recede and shrink. At some point your dentures will no longer fit well, and they will have to be remade. It is important to replace worn or ill-fitting dentures before they cause problems. Your dentist will let you know where it is time to replace your dentures.
Full & Partial Dentures in Valparaiso, Indiana
Dr. Kirscher provides patients with the following services for Dentures in the Valparaiso office:
- Full Dentures
- Partial Dentures
- Removables
Call us today to schedule your consulation for Dentures – 219-465-7300
