fixed partial denture

Smiling with Dentures: Proper Care & Getting the Hang of It

Author: PV Smiles Reem Kidess | Posted on with comments

dentures a new smile Losing permanent teeth can be horrible. It affects your eating habits, speech and most of all, your appearance. These can be troubling as you age, but there’s no reason to fret because dentures are here to save you from those and will offer you a new smile.

Dentures are removable teeth replacements, fashioned to provide a copy of a patient’s missing teeth. They are completely removable for the patient’s comfort and safety. There can be a lot of dentures available for a patient’s needs, but there are two main types.

Complete Dentures

With complete dentures, patients will be given a full set of upper, lower teeth (sometimes both) which may include removing all the other teeth that’s left. These dentures can either be Conventional or Immediate. The difference between the two is the span of time the dentures are placed. 

Conventional dentures are placed after all tissues have healed due to teeth removal. However for Immediate dentures, as the term suggests, placement is immediate right after all the remaining teeth were removed.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are those that only replace the parts of your teeth that were lost. These dentures have a metal framework beneath a plastic base that is placed on your real teeth. It acts as anchorage to hold the dentures in place. Sometimes, crowns are also placed for better anchorage.

When should I get dentures

There’s really no particular age when to get dentures. You get them when you need them. However, as teeth loss is commonly connected to aging, more people are getting dentures due to teeth loss during old age. People aged 40 and up have higher rates of getting dentures.

In other cases, you can get your dentist’s advice about when you need one. Here are some of the signs that will help you assess if you need them.

1. You experience chronic toothaches

Chronic toothaches are the most evident signs of tooth decay. This means that your damaged teeth must be removed permanently. This is never a problem for kids as they can still grow their adult teeth to replace it. But if you’re an adult with no signs of extra teeth growing somewhere, it’s time you seek help from dentures.

2. You can’t smile confidently

Missing teeth may cause someone to lose confidence. Even if some of the missing teeth seem to be hidden, your smile will never be the same again. You know you don’t deserve to feel that way just because of a missing tooth. Say hello to a new smile with dentures.

3. Indigestion is a common issue 

If you’re always suffering from indigestion, it might be because you can’t chew your food properly. All parts of your teeth have different functions when it comes to eating and chewing. A missing teeth or two may mean your food needs are not chewed properly because of missing molars.

smiling with dentures Getting the hang of it & smiling with dentures

Wearing your dentures for the first time may not always feel perfect. You have to give yourself and your mouth the time to adjust. However, if you’re having a hard time putting and removing your new dentures, ask your dentist’s help. Forcing it may only result in worse conditions. 

Eating and chewing

On the first days of wearing your dentures, it won’t usually feel the best. Your cheeks and gums must get accustomed to holding it in place as you eat, especially if you’re wearing a complete set of new ones. It can get out of position, food may stick right in, and can limit your food choices.

Don’t worry, this will all be permanent, all it takes is practice. You have to get used to your dentures properly as you eat. Most patients would say that in a matter of days, they can eat all the food they want. 

However, If practicing it won’t help, ask your dentist’s recommendation on denture adhesives. They can help you find the best for you.

Speaking

Dentures, like any other new appliance, will feel like a foreign object inside your mouth. Speaking, even smiling, may not feel as comfortable as it was before. However, you can get a hold of this by practicing your speaking habits with your dentures on. Try reading aloud to see how you can handle your dentures better.

Accidental slips

One of the worries of patients are embarrassing denture slips that can happen anywhere– in the bathroom, at a grocery, or while in a restaurant. If it slips all of a sudden, you can put it in place without holding, by biting and swallowing. To ease off your worries, you can always use dental adhesives.

Proper care for your dentures

Dental appliances may deteriorate easily if not properly cared for. Good hygiene, accompanied by proper care can help you keep your dentures better for longer.

Brush them regularly

Like your teeth, you should brush your dentures regularly especially after eating. Look for brushes and toothpastes that are designed for denture care. It’s best to use soft-bristled brushes to prevent scratches.

When brushing dentures, you must remove them totally and clean it while holding them. They may be decay-proof but brushing them regularly will prevent staining. Also be very careful as they can break or chip when dropped.

Don’t wear them while sleeping

Wearing your dentures 24/7 can be dangerous. Unconscious mouth movements like teeth grinding as you sleep can damage them or make them slip. Also, bacteria can accumulate in between them and can cause some mouth problems.

Store them properly

Never soak your dentures in hot water. If not in use, place them on a dry towel, or soak them in cool water. This must be done after cleaning or before going to bed.

There’s nothing to be afraid about getting and smiling with dentures. If you have other questions about it, we can assist you further. Drop us a message at PV Smiles and we’re happy to be of help.