If you’ve lost teeth or had tooth extractions, dentures can restore your smile. When you start using this dental appliance, there’s a period of adjustment that can take several weeks. The following advice can help you get used to them quickly and make informed decisions about any needed changes to the appliance.

How to Adjust to New Dentures

1. Care for Them

Part of adjusting to the dental appliance is learning to care for it and making it a natural part of your routine. When the dentures are clean and undamaged, they’ll be more comfortable to wear and you’ll have fewer problems acclimating.

Brush the dentures twice a day, soak them overnight, and don’t forget to clean your gums. Also, watch out for potential sources of damage. This includes chewing hard foods like nuts and hard candy, eating sticky foods that could gum up the hinge or palate, or trying to open packaging by biting it.

2. Practice

The more you eat and speak with the dentures, the more familiar they’ll start to feel and the better you’ll understand how they move. Wear them all day and talk with them in your mouth. Also, it’s likely your cheeks and jaw will get tired, so you need to exercise them with chewing and speaking to build muscle and stamina.

3. Try Adhesive

A correctly fitted denture should at least partly adhere by itself using suction, implants, or other forms of support. If it won’t stay in place on its own, it needs adjustments to fit better.

However, if it does fit correctly, you can stabilize it even more with a small amount of oral adhesive. This will make it feel more comfortable so that you won’t have to worry about it popping out.

To talk with a dentist about denture problems, contact Pfeiffer Family Dentistry in Fort Thomas, KY. Serving Northern Kentucky since 1977, they accept patients of all ages and often serve whole families. They’re reachable at any time, including after hours, and offer evening appointments on request. They also create a relaxing atmosphere to accommodate patients with dental anxiety. To make an appointment, call (859) 441-1900, or visit their website to learn more about their services.