Congratulations on your new dentures in Wes Allis! You’ve made a wise investment in a better future. In this post we’ll offer some tips for getting the most value from the restoration. Use this information along with guidance from your local dentist to keep your restored smile looking its best.
Practice Makes Perfect
If you’ve been dealing with tooth loss for an extended time, then you’ve probably accustomed yourself to performing everyday tasks like eating, speaking, and preparing food in a certain way. You may need to adjust these habits a little now that you have new dentures. Here are some ways to make the transition as quick and easy as possible:
- Practice speaking with your dentures in place: by doing this in the privacy of your home, you can feel more confident when you enter social and professional situations while wearing the restoration.
- Cut food into bite-sized portions: this helps in two ways. First, it simplifies the process of chewing your food. Second, it can also aid your digestion. Chew with both sides of your mouth and take your time.
- Reposition the denture as needed: you may need to do this several times in the beginning. Using the product will seem like second nature once you accustom yourself to its presence.
- Use denture adhesive: this is especially helpful for dentures on the lower jaw, which are often less stable than those on the upper jaw.
- If the denture moves or shifts while you’re in public, then relax and gently reposition it: the chances of anyone noticing are small.
When to See Your Dentist for Added Help
Most of the challenges you’ll face with a new set of dentures will yield to basic self-care steps like the ones outlined above. In some cases however, you’re better off seeking your dentist’s help. Examples include:
- Pronounced pain or discomfort: these problems may indicate that the dentures is either defective or poorly suited to your dental profile.
- Continued slippage: if the product continues to slip out of place despite regular practice, then you may need to have it adjusted by your dentist.
- Cuts or bruises in your mouth: the purpose of a denture is to improve your oral health, not to put you at risk of infection or injury. See your dentist right away if the appliance is causing wounds or infection in your mouth.
Should You Consider Implant-Supported Dentures?
Adhesive dentures have helped millions of people to enjoy better lives. Nonetheless, they pose a number of limitations for many patients, as we’ve discussed in the tips above.
That’s why implant-supported dentures are worth considering. Unlike traditional products, they require no messy creams or pastes. They help to prevent jaw bone resorption and other concerns associated with adhesive dentures. Also, most patients find that implants more closely resemble healthy natural teeth.
Talk to your dentist about your options for dentures in Milwaukee. Whether you go with implants or with a more traditional solution, you have nothing to lose and a happier, healthier life to gain. We wish you plenty of happy smiles in the days and years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Barry R. Franzen is a recognized authority on both adhesive and implant-supported dentures. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. You can reach his office online or by calling (414) 543-5432.