If you’re considering getting full or partial dentures, you might be worried that it will be difficult to adjust to them. While it can take time to become accustomed to the new sensations, most people are feeling much better within 30 days, as long as they have proper dental care. Here are some tips that can help you get used to your dentures faster.

How to Get Used to New Dentures

1. Take Your Time

It’s normal to go through a healing and adjustment period when you get new dentures. First, you’ll need to keep up with the dental care routine your dentist recommended to address the pain from your tooth extractions.

You’ll also have to learn how to chew, speak, and maintain your dentures, including affixing them to the gums. Before too long, these actions will be second nature, so be patient with yourself and practice alone whenever possible.

2. Start With Soft Foods

Soft foods are the easiest to chew with new dentures. When you’re learning to chew comfortably, you’ll have to make sure you’re not biting your tongue, scraping your gums, or popping your dentures out of place.

This process will be more difficult with hard foods, so start with soft ones, like mashed potatoes or pudding. You might want to practice in the comfort of your own home, so you don’t have to worry about your dentures slipping in public during the adjustment period.

3. Take Small Bites

When you’re ready to start with tougher or harder foods, don’t take large bites. Select foods you can cut or break into bite-sized pieces that can be chewed with your back teeth only. Chewing with your front teeth can cause your dentures to unstick from the back.

Even once you’ve mastered hard foods, there are some food items you should still avoid. These include caramel, hard candy, and popcorn. You should also avoid chewing on ice or other non-food objects.

4. Talk to Your Dentist

If you’re having pain and feel like your dentures need to be adjusted, talk to your dentist. They’ll check to see whether the dentures are properly contoured to your mouth. A dentist can also help you decide on a proper dental care routine to help relieve your discomfort. Make sure you don’t miss any checkups during this process so your doctor can help and observe your progress.

Lowitz & Meier provides excellent dental care to patients of all ages in the Cincinnati, OH, area. They can make dentures for you as well as provide regular care to make them last for as many years as possible. If you decide dentures aren’t your best option, they’ll discuss other options, such as dental implants. Visit their website to learn more or call (513) 521-8900 to set up an appointment today.