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If you've just recently got dentures made for yourself, you know how awkward and challenging it can be to use it, especially when eating. Similar to wearing glasses for the first time, or putting on a watch, you will feel weird having a foreign object attached to your body.
While it can be a little tough to get used to dentures, here are four tips you can follow to speed up the getting-used-to process:
1. Drink lots of water
When starting, you may be tempted to eat every food available to you. However, there are things to keep in mind. When eating solid foods like bread, you may find it a little hard to chew or swallow. In that case, by drinking water along with biting off a piece of bread, it becomes much easier to eat. Also, be careful when you're about to eat something really hot. Dentures act like insulators, and you may find it a little hard to judge just how hot the food is. Finally, don't keep liquids in your mouth for too long, as it can cause your denture to slip.
2. Eat soft foods
In the early stages, your mouth can be extra sensitive and susceptible to pain and aches with even the slightest pressure. Because of this, it is best that you eat soft foods like puddings, porridge, soups, and other easy-to-chew food items. If you want to eat something a little more robust, chop them up thoroughly before eating. Also, it is good to note that dentures can alter the taste of food. However, this will not last long as your tongue will slowly adapt and return to normal.
3. Avoid hard foods
As you get more used to dentures, you will become more confident and comfortable with eating hard foods. However, dentures are susceptible to damage and are not cheap. Because of this, be very careful when eating hard food items (or avoid them entirely), as the last thing you want to happen is to head over to the dentist for a repair. Try and avoid sticky foods like caramel, hard foods like nuts, tougher meats like beef, and foods with little hard bits like popcorn.
4. Regularly clean your dentures
Regular maintenance of your dentures will help you get used to using it, along with keeping it clean. Dentures are prone to plaque build-ups, stains, and bacterial growth, making it vital that you keep them clean. Otherwise, infections may arise, hurting your overall oral health.
Here are three ways you can keep your dentures clean. First, brushing is crucial in keeping your mouth hygienic. It helps remove plaque build-up and gets rid of bacteria. However, before you start scrubbing away, you need to make sure that you're using a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture-safe toothpaste. Using standard toothpaste along with a hard-bristled toothbrush can scratch your dentures, creating little spaces for food to get lodged inside. Secondly, flossing can also help maintain your dentures. There is just so much a toothbrush can do. Flossing, on the other hand, helps by tackling hard-to-reach areas and dislodging food particles that are jammed tight into your teeth. Do keep in mind that your dentures need to be treated carefully, so don't floss too often. Finally, rinse your mouth. Take off your dentures often (such as after a meal) and rinse with water thoroughly.
By following our tips, you'll soon find that using dentures is much easier and comfortable than you thought. However, if you continue to experience pain, visit a dentist for help as soon as you can.
If you are having trouble adjusting to your dentures, get in touch with Dental House Mi today for a free consultation!
