If you are missing one tooth in your smile, or an entire dental arch, your dentist may have suggested dentures as a possible method of replacement. If you are getting dentures, you aren’t alone. Almost 70 percent of the adults in the United States in their mid thirties to their mid forties are missing one or more teeth, so chances are that you know someone who has dentures, or who needs them.
Adjusting to life with dentures is not that difficult. Here are few things to think about when you are fitted for your new dentures by our dentist, Dr. Dominick Lembo.
They may feel a little awkward and bulky at first as you get used to them. But while they should have a firm fit, they should not be tight or cause you any pain. If you feel any discomfort from your dentures, you should make an appointment at Belmont Dental Associates to have them adjusted. It’s not uncommon for new denture wearers to come in after a few weeks to have their dentures lined for a more comfortable fit.
If you have been living without a full set of teeth for a while it will have affected the way you speak You will have fallen into certain speech habits to account for your the spaces in your smile, and you may have to relearn how to say certain words. One of the fastest ways to learn how to speak while wearing your dentures is to sing along with your favorite songs on the radio or your device.The rhythm of the music will make it easier to learn to speak again.
Your new dentures may shift out of place, which is commonly known as floating. It can be irritating and distracting and you will need to condition the muscles in your mouth to help keep your dentures where the need to be. An easy way to do that is to exercise the muscles in your cheeks.
Eating may be a challenge, especially with foods that require a great deal of chewing. Until you are used to wearing your dentures, you should cut your food into smaller pieces so it is easier to chew, or into long strips so that you can chew it on both sides of your mouth. That will evenly distribute the pressure and help keep your dentures in place.
Your dentures aren’t natural teeth. But that does not give you an excuse to quit brushing. Your dentures can collect food debris, plaque and bacteria, just like your teeth. You should take them out and clean them at least twice a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture paste, or mild dish or hand soap. Scrub them very gently over a towel or a sink filled with water to keep them from breaking if you accidentally drop them. If do drop them and they break, don’t try to make any repairs on your own. Instead, bring them into the office and we can repair or replace them. While you are brushing, don’t forget to brush your gums to remove plaque and to stimulate the blood flow. If you are going to bed, take your dentures out and place them in a soaking solution.
You don’t have to live with an incomplete smile. If you aren’t happy what you see when you look in the mirror each morning and are ready to talk about dentures in Haledon, New Jersey, give us a call at 973-790-4494. We’re looking forward to meeting you!