Dentures are a great way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss because they restore both it’s appearance and functionality. These prosthetics are made with lifelike materials that can be customized to match your missing teeth, so you’ll look and feel like your best self. On top of that, they allow you to clearly enunciate words and thoroughly mash up your food so it can be easily swallowed and digested.
Many patients don’t realize that it can take about a month for their tongues and supporting muscles in their mouths to acclimate to wearing them. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect during this time and how you can ease the transition into life with dentures!
What Is the First Month with Dentures Like?
Because everyone’s situation is unique, there’s no single one-size-fits-all experience when replacing your lost teeth. That said, there are some common challenges that many people run into when they’re new to wearing dentures. A typical timeline of what you might anticipate is outlined below.
First 24 Hours
It’s common for patients to have a few remaining teeth that must be extracted to make room for their prosthetics. If you’ve had some removed, you’ll need to keep your dentures in place for 24 hours to give your gums a chance to mend.
After that, it’s highly recommended that you remove your restoration at night so that the tender tissues in your mouth can heal. They need time to grow acclimated to the constant pressure of supporting your dentures, and in the meantime, they are prone to developing blisters or sores if they don’t have a respite.
It’s natural to have some mild to moderate aches and inflammation in your gum tissue, so you might want to stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, or blended fruit smoothies (without a straw if you’ve had an extraction).
First 2 Weeks
Those who had their teeth extracted will need a follow-up appointment after two weeks to remove their dentures and ensure their gums are recovering. However, even those who didn’t undergo an extraction can benefit from another appointment. It’s normal to develop some raw spots in the first 14 days with your restoration, which can become infected by bacteria that live in your mouth. We can ensure that your dentures fit correctly and monitor your oral condition as you adjust.
You might try an adhesive cream if your gums are too sore to support your dentures. It can form a layer of cushion between the tender tissue and your restoration to ease aches and inflammation and help them remain firmly in place to reduce wiggling and friction. It’s usually also safe to take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen to reduce symptoms.
Then, after 30 days, your mouth will have enough time to desensitize, and you might feel so comfortable wearing your dentures that you forget they’re there!
About the Author
Dr. Erin Peters enjoys helping people of all ages build happy, healthy smiles. She earned her dental degree from the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, then spent 12 years practicing in a cosmetic dental office before opening her own practice. Now, she provides a full range of services at one convenient location, including dentures. She can provide artificial teeth that restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile more easily. For a consultation, you can contact the office on the website or call (201) 641-9119.