Congratulations on your brand-new dentures! Now that you’ve replaced your missing teeth, you can once again enjoy smiling, speaking, and eating with confidence. But before you test out your new teeth, it’s important to understand that your pristine new prosthetics take about 30 days to get adjusted to. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect to happen over the next few weeks, and how to make transitioning your new teeth as smooth as possible!
The First 24 Hours
During your first 24 hours with your new smile, your dentist recommends wearing your prosthetics around the clock, even to bed. This will not only help you get used to wearing them, but it will also help them take shape inside your mouth.
After the first day, however, it’s important to remove them each night before you go to bed to allow your gums time to rest and absorb important nutrients.
Although having a full set of teeth can vastly expand the types of foods you can eventually eat, your dentist also recommends eating a soft diet until you get used to wearing them. Some foods that fit into this category include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Applesauce
- Jello
- Macaroni and cheese
- Scrambled eggs
- Soup
- Yogurt
- Ice cream
- Hummus
The First 2 Weeks
In most cases, your dentist will schedule you to return to the office after about two weeks to check the fit and function of your dentures. At this point, you may have expanded your diet to more solid foods.
If you are still mastering speaking with your teeth in, try narrating your day or reading aloud so you get plenty of practice speaking even if you’re alone. Although you may have a slight lisp or speech impediment in the beginning, this should eventually go away with time. You may also experience an increase in saliva production or uncomfortable mouth sores during the first few weeks. These issues should also be resolved as your body gets more comfortable with your new dentures.
The First 30 Days
After about a month you should be able to completely adjust to your new dentures. Any initial mouth sores should be healed, and provided they fit comfortably and correctly, there should not be any new ones. Your saliva levels should return to normal, too.
Caring for your new smile is essential to making your dentures last as long as possible. To that end, be sure you’re removing them after each meal, scrubbing them completely with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap or denture cleanser, flossing between each tooth, and then rinsing them well before returning them to your mouth. If you won’t be wearing them for a while, be sure to store them in a glass of water so they don’t dry out and become permanently damaged.
Remember, it can take a full month to adjust to your new dentures, even if you’ve worn them before. But don’t despair! With the help of the above steps, soon your new prosthetics will feel as natural and easy to use as real teeth!
About Our Practice
At Arts Family Dentistry of Dallas, our trio of caring and compassionate dentists want to help bring back your healthy, beautiful smile with the help of durable, lifelike dentures! Whether this is your first time using prosthetics, or you’re ready to upgrade your grin to a newer, more comfortable pair, we’ve got a variety of options to help. To schedule an appointment for dentures, visit our website or call 214-203-1145.