What To Expect When Wearing Partial Dentures for The First Time

Losing your natural teeth can significantly affect your bite function and smile. When you’ve lost one or a few of your natural teeth due to injury or gum disease, a partial denture is an excellent restorative option to restore your ability to chew food comfortably and smile confidently.

A partial denture is a dental prosthesis used to replace one or several missing teeth. They are removable and often secured by clasps attached around your natural teeth. Partial dentures look, feel, and function like natural teeth to provide the most natural results. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect from partial dentures.

What to Expect When Wearing Partial Dentures

For the first 1 – 4 weeks after getting your dentures, you’ll likely experience the following issues as you get used to wearing them:

• Discomfort

You’ll likely experience minor sensitivity and gum soreness in the first several days of wearing them. Fortunately, these symptoms will disappear after a few days. Your dentist may prescribe some medications to minimize discomfort, swelling, or infections.

It’s important to avoid anything that could aggravate your symptoms, like abrasive brushing, chewing hard foods, and drinking hot items. Removing your denture when sleeping is vital to allow your gums to rest and heal. If you experience severe or persistent pain, your denture is likely ill-fitting, and you should consult your dentist. The dentist can adjust it for proper fit.

• Difficulty eating and speaking

Since the denture is new to your tongue, you might experience difficulty chewing certain foods or pronouncing certain words. Fortunately, these difficulties are temporary, and you should be able to eat and speak normally after about 2 to 4 weeks. If your denture moves, dislodges, or makes noises when eating, it may require re-adjustments. Denture implants in Newburyport, MA, are another option that provides better stability and bite function.

Adjusting to Life with Partial Dentures

Since a denture doesn’t completely function like your natural teeth, it will take some time to get used to them. You must learn to keep them in place while smiling, eating, or speaking.

Proper oral hygiene and care are also essential to keep them in excellent condition. While it can be frustrating initially, you should get used to your dentures in about a month. Below are practical tips to speed up your adjustable phase and enjoy your life with a partial denture.

Eat soft foods:

Dietary changes are essential when it comes to life with dentures. In the first several weeks, avoid aggressive chewing and hard, chewy, hot, crunchy, and spicy foods, as they can hurt or irritate the already sensitive and sore gums. Similarly, they can cause the denture to dislodge or fall off when chewing, which can be embarrassing. Start with soft and cool foods like mashed potatoes, eggs, fish, and soft vegetables.

Cut your food into small pieces:

Big chunks of food require more aggressive chewing, which can cause significant discomfort or dislodge your denture. Cutting your food into small pieces makes them easy to chew and digest. Chew gently and with both sides of the mouth to avoid putting too much pressure on one side of the denture or mouth.

Practice speaking or talking:

A new denture can dislodge or fall off if you make sudden oral movements like sneezing, laughing, or shouting. To get used to speaking and talking without issues, avoid sudden movements and practice speaking regularly. For instance, call your friends, sing along to your favorite songs, and talk regularly.

Practice excellent denture hygiene and care:

Good denture hygiene and maintenance are essential to keep your denture in perfect condition and protect your mouth from oral infections like gum disease and tooth decay.

Are You Interested in Partial Dentures in Newburyport, MA?

Would you like to replace your missing teeth with partial dentures? Or do you need more tips on adjusting quickly to life with dentures? Contact and book a dentist appointment at Newburyport Family Dental or visit our denture office near you.